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JUYENILE 


AMEEICAN HISTORY 


1F01E IPIEHIIAISY ^(DffiKII)®!. 


BY MARCIUS WILLSON, 

I« 

AXTTHOR OP HISTORY OF THK UNITED STATES, AMERICAN HISTORY, COMPRKBINSITB 

CHART OF AMERICAN HISTORY, ETC. 

y't '' 


t V * ■" y 

iuOi 

C- 

NEW YORK: 

lYISON & PHINNEY, 178 FULTON STREET; 

(successors of NEWMAN & IVISON, AND MARK H. NEWMAN &> CO.) 

CHICAGO ; S. 0. GRIGGS & CO., Ill LAKE STREET. 
BUFFALO: PHINNEY & CO., 188 MAIN STREET. 
CAZENOVIA: CRANDALL & MOSELEY. 

AUBURN : J. C. IVISON & CO. DETROIT t A. M‘FARREN. 


•. ■ ■> 











Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, 

BY MARCIUS WILLSON, 

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Northern District of New York. 



t 


STERROTYPED BY THOMAS B. SMITH, 
216 WILIilAM STREET, NEW YORE. 










INTRODUCTION. 


The following little work is the first of a series of three books on 
the subject of American History, by the same author, all of which 
are now completed. The ‘‘Juvenile American History,” containing 
a large number of illustrative maps, together with questions on the 
same, is designed for those younger pupils in our schools who are 
sufficiently advanced to commence the study of Geography ; and al¬ 
though it is not designed to supersede the separate study of this last 
mentioned branch of knowledge, yet it is believed that so much of 
the geography of our country as can be incidentally taught in con¬ 
nection with historical incidents, will be more permanently retained 
than when learned in the usual manner, from geographical details 
alone. Still the maps are designed, primarily, as aids to the under¬ 
standing of the history, and as such, their utility is, indeed, invalu¬ 
able. 

The engravings of the Seals of the several States are introduced in 
this work, not only as appropriate embellishments which may arrest 
the attention of the pupil, and thereby give additional interest to the 
book which he is reading, but for the farther purpose of rendering 
more distinctive the histories of the several colonies, states, and ter¬ 
ritories.* Whatever gives individuality to thb history of a state, will 
tend to prevent the pupil from confounding the history of one state 
with that of another. Several important incidents in the history 
have also been illustrated by engravings; but representations of 
scenes of blood and carnage have been avoided, from the belief that 
they generally exert a baneful influence upon the youthful mind. 
Perhaps the engravings of the “ Death of Wolfe” and the “ Battle of 
Bunker’s Hill” may be deemed exceptions to our rule; but it will be 


* Descriptions of the seals, with explanations of their devices, 
the third book of the series, called “ American History.” 


&c., may be found in 










vi INTRODUCTION. 

observed that, in these instances, the killing is kept out of view, and 
that the designs are useful, as they give a fair representation of the I 
localities of the events described. 

While the leading outlines of the following work, after Part First, 
are essentially the same as in the Second Book, or “ History of the 
United States,” yet the filling up is materially different—consisting 
mostly of those illustrative and morally instructive incidents which 
give to history the charm of romance, without its falsity. The work 
is designed, especially, to interest the young in the subject of which 
it treats, and thereby to prepare the way for farther and more impor¬ 
tant acquisitions in the general details and philosophy of our history. 

As to the style in which the work is written, the-author will simply 
remark, that, for reasons which he believes will readily suggest 
themselves to every judicious instructor, he has aimed to avoid the 
often faulty, although familiar expressions of the nursery, and to 
clothe his narrative in correct but simple language. He believes it 
a serious error to cultivate, in the young, objectionable language, 
under the pretence that they have been accustomed to it, and cannot 
so well understand any other. 


TO THE TEACHER. 

Among the questions, those in Italics are Geographical, and refer 
to the maps. For the Boundaries of the States, their Capitals, &c., 
pupils are referred to the maps on the last four pages of the work ; 
but if they can have larger and better maps, they are recommended 
to use them. The Teacher might then, profitably, exercise his pu¬ 
pils farther in the Geography of our country, than is here pointed 
out. 











CONTENTS AND PLAN OF THE WORK. 


PART I. 

VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES- 


* 


CHAPTER I. 


Pages. 


DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. State of the World four hundred years sgo.—Map of 
the World ct this period. —Notions respecting the form of the Earth.—Columbus.— 

He plans a Voyage across the Western Ocean.—His visit to Portugal.—To Spain.— 
Columbus at the Convent.—At Cordova.—Before the Council of Salamanca.—He 
finally secures the patronage of Ferdinand and Isabella.—Sails from Palos.—The 
Voyage.—Discovery of the Western World.—The Island and its Inhabitants.— Land- 
ing 0 / Columbus ,—Discovery of other Islands .—Map of the West Indies and adjacent 
Countries .—The return Voyage to Spain.—The Reception of Columbus.—Anecdote of 
the Egg.—Other Voyages made by Columbus.—Cruel Treatment of him.—His Death.— 
Americus Vespucius.—The name America. . . . . . . . . 7—20 

CHAPTER II. 

I I THER VOYAGES, DISCOVERIES, AND CONOUESTS IN AMERICA, AND COM¬ 
MENCEMENT OF EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS. John and Sebastian Cabot.— 

I They discover North America.—Other Voyages of Sebastian.—Account of Ponce de 
Leon.—Story about the Fountain of Life.—Discovery of Florida.—Account of Balboa, 
who discovers the Pacific Ocean.—Ferdinand Magellan, and first Voyage around the 
World.—Fernando Cortez.—His Invasion and Conquest of Mexico.— Map of the Valley 
of Mexico. —Present situation of Mexico.—Account of the Conquest of Peru by Pizarro — 

The Capture and Cruel Treatment of the Inca.—Account of De Soto’s Expedition into 
Florida.—First Settlement in Florida, at St. Augustine.— Map of St. Augustine. —Voy¬ 
ages made by the French,—Cartier’s Voyages and Discoveries.— Vicinity of Mon¬ 
treal. —French Settlements at the North.— Map of the same. —Sir Walter Raleigh’s 
Colonies at Roanoke.— Roanoke and Vicinity. —Attempted Settlement in Maine.— 

Map. —Settlement of Jamestown.— Vicinity of Jamestown. — Map of the Indian Tribes, 520—36 


PART II. 

COLONIAL HISTORY- 

VIRGINIA. Seal of Virginia .—The Colony at Jamestown.—Account of Captain 
John Smith.—His first Visit to Powhatan.—Smith taken Prisoner by the Indians.—The 
Pocket Compass.—Smith’s Treatment.—The Letter.—How Pocahontas saved the Life 
of Smith .—Engraving of the Same .—Farther Account of the Jamestown Colony.— 

* The i tems in Italics refer to the map.s and embellishments. 






















vi CONTENTS, AND PLAN OF THE WORK. 


PART IV. 


THE UNITED STATES. 


FROM THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION TO THE TEAR 1847. Page. 

I. WASHINGTON’S ADMINISTRATION. Organization of the Government.—Indian 
War at the West,—Vermont .—State Seal. —Kentucky .—State Seal. —Tennessee.— 

State Seal. ... .128—130 

II. ADAMS’S ADMINISTRATION. Previous Life of Mr. Adams.—Anticipated War 

with France.—Death of Washington .—District of Columbia .130—131 

III. JEFFERSON’S ADMINISTRATION. Previous Life of Jefferson.—Anecdotes of 

him.—Ohio .—State Seal .—Purchase of Louisiana.—War with Tripoli.—Dilhculties with 
England..131—132 

IV. MADISON’S ADMINISTRATION. Louisiana.—State Scot.-British Aggressions.— ; 

Declaration of War against England.—Western Indian War.—Anecdote of Tecumseh.— j 

Surrender of Detroit ,—Vicinity of Detroit .—Tecumseh and the Wyandot Chief.— 
Oueenstown Heights.— J^iagara Frontier. —1813.—General Winchester’s Defeat.—The 
Chief, Round Head.—Battle of Lake Erie.—War with the Creek Indians .—Seat of the 

Creek fVar —Capture of York.—Captain Gray.—Naval Events.—1814. Battle of Chip- 
peway.—Of Bridgewater.— Vicinity of J\riagara Falls. —Battle of Plattsburg.—The Cap¬ 
itol burned.—Events near Baltimore.— Map. —Capture of Pensacola.— Map. —Battle of 
New Orleans.— Map. —Treaty of Peace.—War with Algiers.—Indiana.— State Seal. 132—142 

V. MONROE’S ADMINISTRATION. Mississippi and Illinois admitted into the Union.— 

State Sca/s.—Seminole War of 1817-18.—Purchase of Florida.—Alabama and Maine.— 

State Seals. —Missouri .—State Seal .—Visit of Lafayette. ... . . . 142—145 

VI. J. Q.. ADAMS’S ADMINISTRATION. Deaths of the ex-Presidents John Adams and 

Thomas Jefferson..145 

VII. JACKSON’S ADMINISTRATION. United States Bank and the Tariff.—Black 
Hawk’s War.—Commencement of the Seminole War .—Seat of the War .—Michigan 

and Arkansas .—State Seals. .145—147 

VIII. VAN BUREN’S ADMINISTR.ATION. Pecuniary Distresses.—Continuance of . 

the Seminole War.. 147—148 . 

IX. HARRISC^’S ADMINISTRATION. Harrison’s sudden Death.148 ' 

X. TYLER’S ADMINISTRATION. North-eastern Boundary Treaty.—Annexation of 

Texas.—Florida and Iowa .—Territorial Seals. . 148—149 ' 

XT. POLK’S ADMINISTRATION. The Oregon Treaty .—Map of Texas .—^History of 
Texas .—Seal of Texas.—Commencement of War with Mexico .—Map of Mexico. —Wis¬ 
consin.— Territorial Seal. - Conclusion. War and Peace.—Prosperity of our Coun¬ 

try.—Political Union.—Education .—Map of the United States.—Public Seal of the United 
States.—Separate Maps of the four divisions of the Union . 149—160. 
















r 


JUVENILE AMERICAN HISTORY. 


PART I. 

Voyages and discoveries. 


CHAPTER I. 

DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 

1. Less than four hundred years ago America was unknown 
to the people of Europe. They believed the Earth to be 
much smaller than it is, and that Europe, Asia, and Africa, 
were the only large bodies of land that it contained. 

2. Along the western coasts of Europe and Africa stretched 
an ocean of unknown extent, upon which few mariners dared 
venture out of sight of land, and across which no ship had | 
ever sailed. What was beyond this ocean no one knew, 
although many conjectures had been formed about it, and im¬ 
probable stories told of islands, and continents, and. cities, far 
away beyond the watery deep, but which, if they existed, no 
one expected ever to see. 

3. At that time learning and religion had shed their light 
upon only a small portion of the world, while all around w^as 
the darkness of ignorance, and pagan worship. Even Asia, 
where our first parents were placed by the Almighty,—where 
Moses, and David, and Solomon had lived,—where Jerusalem 


! 1 Wliat ignorance prevailed respecting America less than four hundred years ago ? What 

1 did the people of Europe believe at that time ?—2. MTiat is said of the ocean west of Europe and 
Africa ? Of the unknown regions beymnd it ? 3. State of learning and religion at this period ? 


2 








3 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 

, had stood, and the Savior vras born—even Asia had at that 
time become almost unknown to our fathers; and with respect 
to Africa, only its northern portions, bordering on the Medi¬ 
terranean Sea, were visited by them. 

4. Such was the state of the world,—most of it in darkness, 
and unknown to our European fathers, as it is represented by 
the map on the opposite page, when the superior wisdom of 
one man, as we shall soon relate, led to the discovery of the 
vast continent of America, on which we now live. 

5. Most persons supposed, at that time, that the Earth was 
a fiat surface, as it really appears to be, and few had any cor¬ 
rect notions of its form. Among those who believed it to be 
round, was Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa in Italy, 
a man whose parents were poor, and who had, therefore, been 

i able to give him but little education. 

G. Although Columbus was sent to sea at an early age, yet 
he improved all his opportunities for obtaining knowledge, 
and by much observation and study became one of the most 
intelligent mariners of .the age. Believing the Earth to be 
round, and that the shortest route from Europe to the eastern 
coasts of Asia would be found by sailing in a westerly direction, 
he anxiously sought the means for making the experiment. 

7. He visited Portugal—laid his plans before the king of 
that country—and requested that he might be supplied with a 
siiip, and seamen to navigate it ; but he was laughed at by 
some, while all regarded his scheme as extravagant and 
' visionary. He also applied to his native country, Genoa, 
j where he met with a like ill success. Pie then went to Spain, 
I where he arrived in great poverty, having previously ex- 
! hausted the little fortune which his industry had acquired. 


AVhat is said of Asia and Africa ?—4. The state of the world as represented by the Map, See. ?— i 
j b. Krror respecting the form of the earth ? AVhat is said of Columbus ?—6. Ilis early life, char- i i 
11 acter, and the exi>eriment he de.nred to make ?—7. Ilis visit to Portugal ? To his native coun- i 1 
I try ? His arrival in Spain ? j I 


























RICHARDSON.Sc 

































































































































































































































































































































































































IQ VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 

; 8. The first notice we have of his being in Spain, is as a 

■ stranger, on foot, stopping at the gate of a convent near the 
sea-port of Palos, and asking for some bread and water for ( 
himself, and his little son Diego who accompanied him. j 
: While they were partaking of this humble refreshment, the ; 
' priest of the convent, Juan Perez, happened to pass by, and i 
perceiving that Columbus was a foreigner, he entered into i 
conversation with him. I 

9. He soon learned from him the object of his travels; de- ' 
tained him several days as a guest; became a believer in his | 
scheme of a western route to Asia; and, after promising to | 
maintain and educate his son Diego at the convent, he and | 
some friends furnished Columbus with the means of continuing . 
bis journey to Cordova, to visit Ferdinand and Isabella, the ' 
king and queen of Spain. 

10. When Columbus arrived at Cordova, he found the king 
and que.en so busily engaged in preparations for war against 
the Moorish kingdom of Grenada, that they could find no time 
to listen to him, and he was therefore obliged to wait until a 
better opportunity offered, and in the mean time he supported 
himself by making and selling maps and charts. 

11. Finally, however, although most persons at Cordova 
regarded him as a kind of madman, or wild adventurer, yet 
some distinguished men became convinced of the justness of ; 

j his theory, and, through their influence, he was enabled to see 
j the king, and explain to him his plans. 

i 12. Ferdinand was highly pleased with the idea of so impor¬ 
tant a discovery as Columbus hoped to make; but, being 
doubtful about the success of such a voyage as was proposed, 
he ordered the most learned men of the kingdom to assemble 


8. The first notice we have of his being in Spain? What is said of Juan Perez?—9. ilis 
kindness to Columbus ?—10. Arrival of Columbus at Cordova, and his situation there ?— 
11. How was he regarded by many, and what was the result of his stay there ?—12. WTiat did 






















VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 


i 


11 


at Salamanca, to hear Columbus explain his theory, and then 
give their opinion of its merits. 

13. Accordingly, at Salamanca Columbus met the learned 
men of Spain, and stated to them his reasons for believing that 
the world was round like an orange, and that a ship might 
sail westward from Europe, across the great ocean, until it 
should arrive at the eastern coasts of Asia. 

14. These learned men, however, could not believe that 
Columbus, who was only an obscure mariner, knew more 
about the form of the Earth than all the wise and skilful sea¬ 
men who had lived before him, and they decided that his 
scheme was vain and impracticable. Many of them also 
treated it with ridicule and contempt. 

15. “Even admitting the Earth to be round,” said they, 

“ how absurd is it to believe that there are people who live on 
the other side of it, with their feet opposite to ours; who 
walk with their feet upward and their heads hanging down; 
that there is a part of the world in which all things are topsy¬ 
turvy, where the trees grow with their branches downward, 
and where it rains, hails, and snows, upward !” 

16. Others said, that if the Earth were round, and a ship 

should sail westward until it had gone down on the opposite 
side, it would be impossible for it to return, because it would 
be like climbing up a hill, which, they said, no ship could do ' 
with the strongest wind. ! 

17. Such were the objections which the wisest men of | 
Spain urged against the project of Columbus; but he was not | 
discouraged by the result, and continued to advocate his 
scheme with as much confidence as ever. Several years, 
however, now passed away, during which time he was kept 


I 

L 


king Ferdinand do ?—18. What is said of Columbus at Salamanca ?—14. How did the learned 
men treat his scheme, and what did they decide ?—15. Some of the arguments that were brought 
against his theory ?—16. What did others assert ?—17. How was Columbus affected by the 
result, and what is said of the promises of the king and queen ? 



















VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 


12 

in suspense by the repeated promises of the king and queen, 
that, when the war should be ended, and they could find a 
little more leisure, they would give his project a more atten¬ 
tive consideration. 

18. At length, Columbus, losing all patience after so many 
delays, gave up all hope of assistance from the throne, and 
was on the point of leaving Spain for the purpose of laying 
his plans before the king of France, when queen Isabella re¬ 
solved to engage in the enterprise, and pledged her jewels to 
raise the necessary funds. Columbus, who was already on | 
his way to France, was called back to court, where all the 
necessary arrangements were soon made. 

19. It was agreed that he should be high admiral of all the 
seas, and governor of all the lands that he should discover ; and 
that he should have a tenth part of all the profits arising from 
the merchandise and productions of the countries under his 
government. Three small vessels were fitted out in the little 
seaport of Palos, the largest of which, called the Santa Maria, 
Columbus himself commanded. The names of the other ves¬ 
sels were the Pinta and the Nina. 

20. On board this fleet were ninety seamen, and a number 
of private adventurers—in all, one hundred and twenty per¬ 
sons. On the 12th of August, 1492, Columbus sailed" from 
Palos, a port on the Mediterranean Sea, and passing through 
the Straits of Gibraltar, directed his course to the Canary Is¬ 
lands, where he remained several weeks, refitting one of his 

j vessels, and taking in wood and water and provisions for the 
I voyage. 

21. On the 15th of September he departed from the Cana¬ 
ries, and sailed directly westward into the unknown ocean, 
where no ship had ever before ventured. When the seamen 


18. Of the design of Columbus to leave Spain, and the final resolution of Isabella to engage 
in the enterprise ?—19. What agreement was made ? AVhat vessels fitted out ?—20. The num¬ 
ber of seamen, and the sailing of the fleet ?—21. Departure from the Canaries ? Anxiety of 






















I VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 13 

I lost sight of land their hearts failed them, for they seemed to 
I have taken leave of the world ; and after they had sailed on¬ 
ward twenty days in the same direction, they began to be 
filled with dismay at the length of the voyage, and were anx¬ 
ious to return. 

22. So alarmed did they finally become that they threatened 
I to throw Columbus overboard, and return without him. Still 

Columbus adhered to his purpose, and used every expedient 
to dispel the fears of the seamen, and encourage them to pro¬ 
ceed. The favoring breeze, blowing steadily from the east, 
wafted the vessels rapidly forward over a tranquil sea, and 
Columbus found it necessary to keep his crews ignorant of the 
great distance they had gone. 

23. About the first of October several patches of herbs and 
weeds drifting from the west were seen, and many birds came 
singing around the vessels in the morning, and flew away at 
night. These signs of land were very cheering to the hearts 
of the poor mariners, and every one was eager to be the first 
to behold and announce the wished for shore. But still day 
after day passed, and although signs of land became more and 
more frequent, yet the seamen became so impatient and clam¬ 
orous, that it was with the greatest difficulty that Columbus 
could prevent an open mutiny. 

24. On the 20th of October, however, the signs of land had 
become so certain, that all murmuring ceased. On that day 

I a green fish, such as keeps near the land, swam by the ships; 

and a branch of thorn, with berries on it, floated by: they 
I picked up, also, a reed, a small board, and a staff artificially 
I carved. All were now on the lookout for land, and during 
}' the following night not an eye was closed in sleep. 

25. About ten o’clock Columbus himself saw a light, which 

the seamen?—22. Threats of the seamen, and conduct of Columbus?—23. Of the signs of land, 
and disappointment and clamor of the seamen ?—24. Increasing signs of land ?—25. Of the light 
seen, and first discovery of land ? 


2 









l4 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 

appeared like a torch in the bark of a fisherman, rising and 
sinking with the waves. The vessels continued on their 
course until two o’clock in the morning, when a gun from the 
Pinta announced the joyful intelligence that land was visible ; 
whereupon they took in sail, and waited impatiently for the 
dawn. 

26. As the morning dawned, a beautiful island was seen 
three or four miles distant; and as objects gradually became 
more distinctly visible, inhabitants were seen issuing from the 
woods, and running to the shore, where they stood gazing at 
the ships. They were without clothing of any kind, and, 
from their attitudes and gestures, appeared lost in astonish¬ 
ment. 

27. The boats were now got in readiness, and preparations 
were made for landing. Columbus, attired in a gorgeous 
dress of scarlet, and bearing in his hand the royal standard of 
Spain, entered his own boat, which was rowed rapidly to the 
shore, accompanied by two other boats bearing the com¬ 
manders and officers of the other vessels. 

28. As soon as they landed, all, imitating Columbus, threw 
themselves on their knees, kissed the earth, and returned 
thanks to God for the great discovery which they had made. 
Columbus then rising, and calling his men around him, drew 
his sword, displayed the royal standard, and in the name of 
Ferdinand and Isabella took solemn possession of the island, to 
which he gave the name of San Salvador. He then called 
upon all present to take the oath of obedience to him, as 
admiral and governor. {See opposite page.) 

29. The feelings of his followers now broke forth in the 
most extravagant transports of joy. Some embraced him ; 
others kissed his hands. . Those who had been the most 

26. Of the island, and the natives?—27. Give an account of the landing.—28. Of the cere¬ 
monies observed on landing, and taking possession ?—29. Of the conduct of the followers of 
Columbus ? 






























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‘ VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 15 | 

mutinous and turbulent during the voyage, now begged his I 
forgiveness—showed the greatest devotion to him—and pro- i 
mised, for the future, implicit obedience to his commands. 

30. During the ceremony of taking possession, the natives 
looked on with wonder and awe. When at the dawn of day 
they beheld the ships at a distance, moving about without any 
apparent effort, they thought they were mighty sea-monsters, 
which had issued from the deep during the night. The shift¬ 
ing and furling of the sails, which resembled huge wings, filled 
I them with astonishment. But when they saw the boats ap- 
: proach the shore, and a number of strange beings, clad in 
■; ‘glittering steel, or raiment of different colors, landing on the 
I beach, they fled in affright to the woods. 

; 31. When, however, they saw that no attempt was made 

I to pursue or molest them, they gradually recovered from their 
I terror and approached the Spaniards, frequently prostrating 
I themselves with their faces to the earth, and making signs of 
adoration. They finally ventured to touch the Spaniards, 
and to examine their hands, faces, and clothing. They ex¬ 
pressed great admiration at the white complexion of the 
strangers, whom they believed to be children of the sun. 

32. Nor were the Spaniards much less surprised at the 
sight of these strange, but simple and artless people, whose 
color, of a dark copper or dusky brown, was so different from 
that of Europeans. They wore no clothing ; their hair was 
coarse, straight, and black ; they had no beards; and their 
bodies, hands, and faces, were painted with a variety of colors. 
Columbus, supposing that the land which he had discovered 
was a part of Eastern or Southern Asia, which was known by 
: the hame of India, called the inhabitants Indians, 


! 30. How did the natives act, and what did they think of the ships ? What is said of their 

1 flight to the woods?—81. Of their return, approach to, and examination of the Spaniards?— 
I 82. Of the surprise of the Spaniards ? Description of the natives ? What did Columbus call 
I them, and why ? 











16 


VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES 


33. After Columbus had spent several days at San Salva¬ 
dor, he sailed south, and discovered other small islands, and 
also two large ones, which he named Cuba and Hispaniola. 
On all the islands he found inhabitants like those he had first 
seen, by all of whom he was treated with the greatest kind¬ 
ness and hospitality. 



34. About the middle of January he set sail on his return 
to Spain, taking several of the natives with him. During the 

S33. "What other discoveries did Columbus make, and what is said of the inliabitants ?. To 
tvhat group of the West Indies does San Salvador belong? (See Map.) Which are the four 
largest of the West India Islands ? Which toay is Cuba from San Salvador ? From Florida ? 
Yucatan from Cuba? Jamaica from Cuba? St. Domingo, or Hispaniola, from Cuba? Porto 
Rico from St. Do^ningo ? The Caribbec Islands from Porto Rico ? The Bahamas from Cuba ?— 
34. Give an account of the return of Columbus to Spain. 
































































-■ - ■ - ■ ■ 

I VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 17 

I voyage a violent tempest arose, and at one time all expected 

I to perish in the ocean. Columbus then wrote a brief account 

I of his voyage on a piece of parchment, which he inclosed in 
a cake of wax, and then put into an empty cask, and threw 
into the sea, hoping that, if he perished, it might fall into the 
hands of some navigator, and thus the knowledge of his dis¬ 
covery be preserved to the world. But, fortunately, the storm 
abated, and he arrived safely at Palos, in Spain, in the latter 
part of March, 1493. 

35. As soon as he landed, he and his companions walked in 
procession to church, where they returned thanks to God for 
their safe return, and the success of the enterprise. The 
people of Palos broke forth into transports of joy when they 
learned the result of the voyage, and vied with each other in 
doing honor to Columbus. What a contrast was this to the 
first arrival of Columbus at the same place a few years before, 
when, a poor and friendless stranger, he stopped at the gate 
of a convent, and begged a little bread and water for himself 
and child ! 

36. Columbus was soon invited to court, where the king 
and queen treated him with great distinction. -He gave them 
a minute account of the voyage, showed them many curious 
plants, birds, and animals, which he had brought back with 
him, and also, what most excited their wonder, several of the 
natives of the new world. While he remained at court he 
often rode out with the king on horseback, and the queen 
delighted to converse familiarly with him on the subject of his 
voyage. 

37. There were not wanting, however, men of base minds 
who envied Columbus, and who asserted that he had accom¬ 
plished nothing more than, somebody else might have done. 

j At a banquet to which he was invited, a shallow courtier 


35. What occurred at Palos ? What remarks are made on the contrast here presented 1— 
36. "What is said of the visit of Columbus to the Spanish court '1—37. Of those who envied him 1 










18 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 

abruptly asked him if he thought there were no men in Spain 
who could have discovered America if he had not done it ? 

38. Columbus made no direct reply, but taking an egg, re¬ 
quested the company to make it stand upon one end. After 
every one had attempted it in vain, he struck i* upon the table, 
broke one end, and left it standing on the broken part; thus 
showing the company -that many perplexing things become 

I very easy as soon as we have seen how they are done. Thus 
I it was with the discovery of America. After Columbus had 
shown the way, it was very easy for others to make a voyage 
to the same country, although no one had ever attempted n 
before. 

39. The intelligence that Columbus had discovered a New 
World, as it was then called, spread rapidly through Spaiji, 
and over all Europe, and within a few years many ships visi¬ 
ted the lands which he had discovered. Columbus made sev.3- 
ral other voyages, but it was not until the year 1498 that be 
discovered the continent of America itself, which he first saw 
near the mouth of the river Orinoco, and even then he did n( t 
know that it was anything more than a large island. 

40. But notwithstanding the great services which Columbt h 
had rendered to Spain, and to the whole civilized worh , 
before his death he was destined to experience severe afilic • 
tions. During his third voyage several conspiracies brok ’ 
out in the settlements which he had formed—unjust complaiiu b 
against him were sent back to Spain—and the sovereigns 
were finally persuaded to deprive him of his command, and 
appoint in his place a new governor, whose commands Colum¬ 
bus was ordered to obey. 


The question asked him at a banquet I—38. What kind of a reply did he make, and what is 
said of it ?—89. What is here said of the discovery of the New AVorld 1 Of other voyages of 
I Columbus, and his discovery of the continent'l — TVAere is the river Orinoco? The Amazon? 
1 (See Map, p. 16.)—40 What is said of the afflictions of Columbus ? Of events during his third 
j I voyage, and the injustice of the Spanish sovereigns 1 


























1 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 19 

\ - --- —_ _ _ _ _ 

! 41. The new governor, soon after his arrival, seized Colum- 

j bus, and sent him to Spain in irons ! The captain of the ship 
which carried him would have taken off his irons, but Colum¬ 
bus said that the king and queen had commanded him to sub¬ 
mit to the new governor, and he would wear the chains that 
had been put upon him until their majesties should order them 
to be taken oft', and that he would ever after preserve them as 
relics and memorials of the reward of his services. 

42. These same chains he afterwards hung up in his room, 
and he gave orders that, when he died, they should be buried 
with him, that the world might know how ungratefully he had 
been treated. Although he was immediately set at liberty on 
his arrival in Spain, yet he never recovered the authority 
which he had lost. He died at Valladolid, in the seventieth 
year of his age. His last words were, “ Into thy hands, O 
Lord, I commend my spirit.” 

43. The world which Columbus discovered, and which 
should have received the name of Columbia, has been called 

I America, from the name of a- distinguished Italian navigator, 
Americus Vespucius,* who visited the country several times 
before the death of Columbus, and wrote a glowing description 
of it. It is supposed that the first voyage of Americus was 
made in the year 1497, when he discovered the continent it¬ 
self on the coast of Brazil, before it was seen by Columbus, 
and that this is the reason why it has been called America, 
after his name. 


I 

j 41. Of tlie return of Columbus in irons 42. What did he do -with these chains 1 How was 
he treated on his arrival in Spain, and what is said of his death 1 —43. What is said of Ame- 
! ricus Vespucius, and of the name given to the New World 1 

j * In Italian it is spelled Amerigo Vespucci, and pronounced Ye$Tpuchy. 
























VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 


CHAPTER 11. I 

OTHER VOYAGES, DISCOVERIES, AND CONaUESTS IN AMERICA, 
AND COMMENCEMENT OF EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS. 

1. Before the death of Columbus, and about the time of 
the first voyage of Americus Vespucius, the northern portion 
of the American continent wsls discovered by two persons, 
father and son, whose names were John and Sebastian Cabot. 
The former, like the great navigators whom we have men¬ 
tioned, was an Italian, but he had settled in England many 
years before, where his son Sebastian was born. 

2. When the Cabots heard of the countries that Columbus 
had discovered towards the south-west, they believed that other 
lands might be found towards the north-west, and having ob¬ 
tained from the king of England permission to make a voyage 

I in that direction, they sailed from England in the spring of 
1497, and on the third of July following discovered the coast 
of Labrador, at the eastern extremity of North America. 

3. Sebastian Cabot afterwards made other voyages to the 
new world, in the hope of finding a passage through the con¬ 
tinent, by which he could sail onwards to Asia. But no such 
passage could be found, and it has since been ascertained that 
none exists. During one voyage he sailed south along the 
American coast almost to Florida, which had not yet been 
visited, but which was afterwards discovered, in the following 
singular manner, by one Juan Ponce de Leon. 

4. This de Leon was an old seaman, and brave soldier: he 
had accompanied Columbus in his second voyage, and was after- 

Of what does Chapter II. treat 1 

1. Arhen and by whom was the northern portion of the American continent discovered 1 
TVTio was John Cabot I—2. Give an account of the first voyage of the Cabots.—3. What is said 
of other voyages of Sebastian Cabot 1 —4. Who was De Leon, and what is said of his character ? 












VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 


If 


21 


wards governor of the island of Porto Rico. Like many of 
his countrymen he was of a credulous and romantic turn of 
mind, and no story about the new world was too extravagant 
for him to believe. 

5. Among the many tales of wonder that he heard from the 
natives, there was one which asserted, that, in an island of the 
Bahamas, there was a fountain so remarkable for its medicinal 
properties, that, as often as people bathed in its stream and 
drank of its waters, they were made young again, and thus 
were able to live forever ! 

6. De Leon believed this absurd story, and, elated with the 
idea of becoming young again, he actually fitted out three 
ships at his own expense, and having collected a number of 
adventurers as credulous as himself, in the year 1512 he sailed 
for the purpose of making the desired discovery. 

7. For a long time de Leon cruised among the rocky Baha¬ 
mas, often in danger of being wrecked, while, as he passed 
from island to island, the object of his search seemed to fly 
farther from him. At length, hearing that there was a large 
country south-west from these islands, de Leon sailed in that 
direction, and soon reached the coast of Florida, which he ex¬ 
plored several hundred miles. But . after all his trouble the ima¬ 
ginary fountain was still undiscovered, and Ponce de Leon was 
obliged to return to Porto Rico, older than when he departed. 

8. Soon after this expedition, a discovery of greater im¬ 
portance was made in another part of America. A Spaniard 
by the name of Balboa, at the head of a hundred and ninety 
Spaniards and a thousand friendly Indians, crossed the narrow 
isthmus of Darien,—collected a quantity of gold and of pearls, 
and discovered the Pacific Ocean. It was now for the first 


is Porto Rico ? —5. What was the story about the Fountain of Life Where are the Baha¬ 
'i mas ?—6. Give nn account of the expedition of De Leon 1 —7. Of his cruise among the Baha- 
I mas 7 Discovery of Florida 7 Result of the voyage 7 —8. Give an account of the discovery 
j made soon after this. ^VTiat was now for the first time known 7 The principal officer in Bal- 


ii 


3 












22 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. j 

time known that America was not a part of Asia, and that 1 

there was a vast ocean between these two countries. The j 
principal officer in Balboa’s expedition was Francisco Pizarro, | 
of whom we shall give a farther account hereafter. j 

9. A few years later, one Ferdinand Magellan, passing j 
through the Straits which bear his name, sailed westward ! 
across the ocean which Balboa had discovered, and found it 
much larger than the one between Europe and America. He 
discovered a great many islands that had never before been 
visited by white men. One cluster of these islands he called 
the Ladrones, or the Islands of Thieves, on account of the 
thievish disposition of the inhabitants. 

10. The natives of these islands, who resembled the Indians 
of America, were ignorant of any country but their own, and 
they believed that the first man of their race was formed from 
a piece of the rock of one of their islands. They were utterly 
unacquainted with fire, and when Magellan, provoked by 
repeated thefts, burned one of their villages, they thought the 
fire was a beast which fed upon their dwellings ! 

11. From the Ladrones Magellan sailed on still farther 
westward, until he reached a cluster of more than a thousand 
islands, which are now called the Philippines. Here Magel¬ 
lan was killed in a skirmish with the natives, but his men con¬ 
tinued the voyage, and not only reached Asia, but finally 
returned to Spain by the way of the Cape of Good Hope in 
the year 1522 ;—being the first persons that ever sailed around 
the globe. The whole voyage occupied three years and 
twenty-eight days. 

12. During the same year that Magellan began his voyage, 
a young Spanish soldier, whose name was Fernando Cortez, 


boa’s expedition 1 W^ere is the Isthmus of Darien ? (See Map, p, 16.) Wliat is an isthmus ?— 
9. Give an account of the discoveries of Magellan ?—10. MTiat is said of the natives of the 
liadrones I—11. Fate of Magellan, and result of the voj^age ? Trace the route of this voyage on 
the Map, p. 9.—12. Other expeditions about the same time 1 Countries discovered, &c. ? 










[ [ -' . . . . ■ —■ . . 

i VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 23 

sailed from Cuba, on an expedition against some countries 
that had been discovered several hundred miles west of that 
island. These countries were the southern portions of the I 
present Mexico, then inhabited by a race of Indians far more 
civilized than any others in North America. 

13. In March, 1519, Cortez first landed in the southern 
part of the Mexican territory, where the natives, armed with 
bows and arrows, and lances, engaged him in battle ; but the 
Spaniards, being armed with swords and muskets, and pro¬ 
tected by coats of mail against the arrows of the Indians, were 
victorious, and routed their enemies with great slaughter. 

14. Cortez then sailed farther north along the coast, and 
landed at the place where Vera Cruz now stands. Here he 
was kindly received by the natives, who tried to persuade him 
to continue his voyage, as they did not wish him to go into 
their country. But Cortez seeing that they wore ornaments 
of gold and silver, and learning that Montezuma, the monarch 
of the country, possessed immense wealth, he determined to 
make him a visit, although Montezuma had sent express orders 
forbidding him to do so. 

15. The city of Mexico, which was the residence of Monte¬ 
zuma, and the capital of his empire, was 
about two hundred miles distant; yet 
Cortez, with his band of five hundred men, 
succeeded in reaching it without meeting 
any opposition from Montezuma, who was 
so terrified at the approach of the Spaniards 
that he was afraid to fight against them. 

16. When the Spaniards reached the 
mountain heights east of the city of Mexico, 


13. Events that occurred on the first landing of Cortez ?—14. Farther route of Cortez ? Events 
at Vera Cruz 1 Designs of Cortez ? Where is Vera Cruz ? Which way from it is the Mexican 
capital ? tSoe Map, pp. 16 and 152.)—15. AV'ljgit is said of the distance from Vera Cruz to Mexico, 
and of the march of Cortez 1—16. Of the first view the Spaniards had of the valley of Mexico 1 



















24 


VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 


and looked down upon the valley in which the city stood, 
and saw the beautiful lakes, and the numerous villages scat¬ 
tered over the plain, and the splendid city of Mexico itself, 
adorned with its numerous temples, and turrets, and lofty 
domes glittering in the sun, they were filled with admiration 
at a spectacle so wonderful, and could hardly persuade them¬ 
selves that it was anything more than a dream. 

17. They had supposed that all the inhabitants of the new 
world were ignorant savages, like those first seen by Colum¬ 
bus, but here they found a people partially civilized, and 
dwelling in cities as splendid as many of those of Spain. On 
the plea that these people were not Christians, the Spaniards 
very wickedly determined to conquer them, and get possession 
of the treasures which their cities contained. 

18. When Cortez and his band reached the city of Mexico, 
after crossing the lake of Tezcuco on a bridge or causeway, 
they were met and welcomed by about a thousand persons, 
adorned with plumes, and clad in mantles of cotton. Next 
came Montezuma himself, borne on the shoulders of four men, 
in a chair or litter richly ornamented with gold, and feathers 
of various colors. 

19. He received the Spaniards with great dignity, after 
which he admitted them within the city, assigned them a 
spacious and elegant edifice for their accommodation, sup¬ 
plied all their wants, and gave them presents of great 
value. 

20. For all this kindness, however, the Spaniards made a 
very ungenerous return. They boldly seized Montezuma in 
the midst of his people and confined him, and the broken¬ 
hearted monarch soon died of grief. His people then made war 

Mention the five lakes in the valley^ commencing with the most northern. How is the city of 
Mexico situated ?—Vl. What is said of the Mexican people 1 Wicked determination of the 
Spaniards ?—18. Reception of the Spaniards 1 —19. Montezuma’s kindness to them ?—20 The 
ungenerous return made by the Spaniards 1 The war that followed 1 














VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 25 

upon the Spaniards, killed many of them, and drove the rest 
j from the city. 

! 21. During one of the battles which occurred in the city, 

j the Mexicans had taken possession of a high tower, which 
I was so situated that the Spaniards could not move from their 
; places without being exposed to a multitude of weapons that 
were hurled down upon them. 

22. Here Cortez, at the head of a few brave soldiers, 
attacked the enemy,—forced his way up the steps, and finally 
drove the Mexicans to the platform on the top of the tower, 
where nearly all of them were soon killed. Among the sur¬ 
vivors were two Mexican youths of high rank, who resolved 
to sacrifice their own lives, in order to destroy the author of 
all the calamities which desolated their country. 

23. Having thrown away their, arms, and approached 
Cortez in a suppliant posture, as if to implore his mercy, in a 
moment they seized him around his knees, and hurried him to 
the edge of the lofty platform, over which they threw them¬ 
selves headlong, in hopes of dragging him along, to be dashed 
in pieces by the same fall. 

24. But Cortez, catching hold of the low railing, succeeded, 
by his strength and agility, in breaking loose from their grasp 
while they were suspended over the tower; and thus these 
noble youths perished, in a generous, though unsuccessful 
attempt, to save their country. 

25. Finally, the Spaniards retreated from the city in the 
night, but being obliged to cross a part of the lake of Tezcuco 
over a bridge which was partly broken down, they were there 
attacked, and many of them were killed, and many taken prison¬ 
ers. The latter were carried to one of the temples of the Mex¬ 
icans, where they were sacrificed to the Mexican god of war. 

21. What is said of the Mexican tower 1—22. The defeat of the Mexicans there 1 The resolu¬ 
tion of the two Mexican youths ?—23. Their attempt to destroy Cortez ?—24. His escape, and 
their fate 1 —25. The retreat of the Spaniards from the city ? 









26 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 

26. On the sixth day after the Spaniards left the city, they 
found their retreat intercepted by a vast multitude of Mexi¬ 
cans, who completely filled an extensive valley through which 
Cortez was obliged to pass. When the Spaniards saw this 
numerous host, their hearts almost failed them, but Cortez, 
without waiting to give his soldiers time for reflection, imme¬ 
diately led them to the charge. 

27. Cutting their way into the midst of the Mexicans, the 
Spaniards drove back or killed all who opposed them; but 
such were the numbers of the enemy that continually pressed 
upon them, that at length the wearied Spaniards were on the 
point of yielding to despair. 

28. At this moment Cortez observed the great Mexican 
standard advancing, and recollecting to have heard that on its 
fate depended the result of every battle, he assembled a few 
of his bravest men, and, at their head, cut his way through 
the enemy, struck down the Mexican general, and secured 
the standard. The moment their general fell, and the stan- 
davd disappeared, the Mexicans in despair threw away their 
weapons and fled to the mountains, making no farther oppo¬ 
sition to the retreat of the Spaniards. 

29. About a year after these events, Cortez, at the head of 
a larger force, again marched against the Mexican capital, 
which he gained possession of after a siege of seventy-five 
days. The whole country of Mexico then became a province 
of Spain, after which it was governed by Spanish rulers 
during a period of three hundred years. 

30. During that time the Mexican Indians, descendants of 
Montezuma and his people, became ignorant and degraded, 
and although many of them still remain in the land of their 
fathers, mingled with the Spanish population, they now retain 

26. IIow were they intercepted in their retreat; and what did Cortez do ?—27. Give an ac¬ 
count of the battle that followed ?—28. What plan did Cortez adopt, and what was the restilt ?— 
29. What is said of the final conquest of Mexico ?—30. Of the Mexican Indians ? The descend- 









VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 


27 


no portion of their former glory. The descendants of the 
Spanish invaders still live and rule in the country which they 
conquered, but they are no longer under the dominion of 
! Spain. 

: 31. Soon after the conquest of Mexico by Cortez, the large 

' and wealthy kingdom of Peru, in South America, was con- 
I quered by Francisco Pizarro, the man of whom we have 
before spoken as being the principal officer in Balboa’s ex¬ 
pedition. 

I 32. Pizarro, sailing south from the Spanish settlement of 
I Panama on the western coast of the Isthmus of Darien, first 
^ discovered the coast of Peru in the year 1526. He then went 
i to Spain, where, aided by the king, and by Cortez who had 
recently returned from Mexico, he succeeded in fitting out 
an expedition for the conquest of the country which he had 
discovered. 

33. In the year 1531 Pizarro again sailed from Panama, 
and landed in Peru at the head of a small force of only one 
hundred and eighty men. The Indian kingdom of Peru had 
at that time attained a considerable degree of civilization, and 
it was far more wealthy than the Mexican empire of Monte¬ 
zuma, which Cortez had conquered. And although the Inca, 
or king of Peru, could raise more than a hundred thousand 
warriors, yet the love of gold induced Pizarro and his few 
followers to run every risk, brave every danger, and commit 
all manner of crimes, for the purpose of getting possession of 
the wealth of these people. 

34. Pizarro remained on the coast of Peru nearly a year, 
before he thought it prudent to let the Peruvians know his 
real designs. Finally, having received a small reenforcement 
under two distinguished officers, one of whom was^ Ferdinand 


ants of the Spanish invaders ?—31. TVhat other country was soon after conquered, and by whom ? 
—32. First discovery of Peru ? Expedition for its conquest ?—33. Landing of Pizarro in Peru ? 
Situation of Peru at this time ? Motive that led Pizarro to undertake its conquest 1 —34. Give 
























28 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 

de Soto, he marched into the interior of the country. Atahu- 
alpa, the Inca, came to meet him in a friendly manner, at 
the head of more than thirty thousand of his people, when the j 
perfidious Spaniard suddenly attacked him,—killed more than ; 
four thousand of the Peruvians, and took the Inca prisoner. . 
Not a single Spaniard was killed in the contest. ^ : 

35. The captive monarch, overwhelmed with grief, and i 
seeing the thirst of the Spaniards for gold, agreed to fill the 
room in which he was confined with golden vessels as high as 
he could reach, as the price of his ransom.* The gold was 
collected by the subjects of Atahualpa, and brought to Pizarro ; 
but the cruel Spaniard, instead of restoring the Inca to lib¬ 
erty, caused him to be put to death. 

36. After this, many battles were fought between the Peru¬ 
vians and the Spaniards, but the former, although far the most 
numerous, were always defeated; and finally the whole 
country was subdued. Peru then became a province of 
Spain, and, like Mexico, was governed by Spanish rulers, 
during a period of nearly three hundred years. 

37. It is now time to give some account of the events that 
occurred in other portions of North America, after the voy¬ 
ages of the Cabots and the expedition of de Leon. 

38. After de Leon had discovered Florida, the Spaniards 
believed, although without any sufficient reason, that in the in¬ 
terior of that territory there w^ere countries as wealthy as the 
kingdoms of Mexico and Peru ; and at different times expedi¬ 
tions were undertaken for the purpose of finding the riches 
which Florida was supposed to contain. 

39. The last and most important of these expeditions was 

_ 

an account of the proceedings of Pizarro up to the time of taking the Inca prisoner 1 —35. Of 
the agreement for the ransom of the Inca? The result?—36. Final conquest, and subse¬ 
quent histor}" of Peru.—37. What is remarked of other events 1—38. Of Spanish expeditions into 
Florida?—39. The last and most important of these 1 Place and time of landing, &c. 1 

* The room in which the Inca was confined was 24 feet in length and 16 in breadth. 













r ' - . -■ ' -1 

I VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 29 j 

commanded by Ferdinand de Soto, one of the officers who 
' aided Pizarro in the conquest of Peru. De Soto landed at 
Tampa Bay, on the western coast of Florida, in the year 
1539, at the head of six hundred men, one-third of whom 
were cavalry. Nearly all were clad in complete armor of 
polished steel, as a defence against the arrows of the Indians. 

40. During four years this band of adventurers wandered 
about through the southern portions of the present United 
States, searching for gold and silver, but finding none. They 

I often fought with the natives, and endured great hardships 
and suflferings. 

41. From Florida they passed into Georgia, and thence 
westward through Alabama and Mississippi. They were the 
first to discover the Mississippi River, on the western bank of 
which de Soto died. To conceal his death from the Indians, 
who greatly feared him, his body was wrapped in a mantle— 
placed in a rough wooden coffin—and in the stillness of mid¬ 
night was silently sunk in the middle of the stream. 

42. About a year later, the remnant of this roving band, 
half naked and famishing with hunger, succeeded in reaching 
a Spanish settlement in Mexico. By this time the Spaniards 
became convinced that there was neither gold nor silver to be 
found in the regions round about Florida, and therefore they 
made no farther attempts to explore the country. In the year 
1565, however, twenty-three years after vicinittopst.augustine. 
the death of de Soto, some Spaniards set¬ 
tled at St. Augustine in Florida, which was 
the first permanent settlement that was 
made within the limits of the present United 
States. The situation of the city of St. Au¬ 
gustine, which has since been built on this 

j 40. Wanderings of the Spaniards, and battles 1 —41. Route of the Spaniards 1 Death and 
r burial of De Soto 7 42. Result of the expedition 7 Founding of St. Augustine 7 Situation of 
I the city 7 In what part of Florida is St. Augustine? (Map, p. 129.) What river is north and 













VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 


spot, may be learned from the little map on the preceding ; 
page. 

43. Thus far we have been telling principally about the 1 
early voyages, discoveries, conquests, and settlements, made 
in America by the Spaniards. They were not the only 
people, however, who took an interest in the affairs of the 
new world. The French made many voyages to the eastern 1 
coasts of America, but generally farther north than the regions ' 
which the Spaniards had visited. 

44. So early as 1524 the king of France sent out John 
Verrazani, who sailed along the coast from North Carolina to 
Newfoundland. Ten years after this he sent out James Car- 
tier, who made two voyages, during the last of which, in the 

76 ^ 1 ' 1535,116 dlscovei’ed the River St. Law- 
rence. He sailed up this river as far as the 
present city of Montreal, which is situated on 
an island inclosed by the river, as seen in the 
little map in the margin. Here Cartier found 
a large Indian town, which the natives called 
Hochelaga. On that same spot now stands the 
beautiful city of Montreal. 

45. Seventy years after the second voyage of Cartier, and 

forty years after the founding of St. Augustine, the French 
made their first settlement in North America. This was in 
the year 1605, at a place called Port Royal, now Annapolis, 
in Nova Scotia. Three years after this, a Frenchman by the 
name of Champlain made a settlement at the place where now j 
stands the city of Quebec, a map of which may be seen on ! 
page 31. This man discovered Lake Champlain, which, ever ^ 
since, has been called by his name. ; 

west of it ? What somid east of it ? (Map, preceding page.) What island ? —43. Of what have 
we been telling thus far 7 What is said of the voyages of other people 7 —44. Of the voyage of 
Verrazani 7 Of the two voyages of Cartier, and his discoveries 7 —45. The first French settle- 
I ment in North America 7 What is said of Champlain 7 Hoio is Montreal situated ? Which 
' way from is Quebec^ and how situated ? 'The situation of Annapolis ? Principal islands in 






















I VOYAGES AND DISCOVEIES. 31 


MAP SHOWING THE EARLY FRENCH SETTLEMENTS- 



46. Having given an account of the early voyages and dis¬ 
coveries made by the Spaniards and the French, we now 
proceed to give an account of some of those made by the 
English, since the time of Cabot. The English generally vis¬ 
ited those parts of the American coast which were between 
the countries on the south visited and settled by the Span¬ 
iards, and those settled by the French. 

47. It was in the year 1585 that the English first attempted 
to make a settlement in America. In that year Sir Walter 
Raleigh, an English nobleman, sent out a roanoke and vicinity. 
colony, which built a fort and began a set¬ 
tlement in the northern part of the island 
of Roanoke, near the coast of North Caro¬ 
lina. The situation of this island between 
the Sounds of Albemarle and Pamlico, may 
be seen by looking at the accompanying 

I small map. 

and near the Gulf of St. Lawrence ? —16. To what do we now proceed 1 What parts of the 
coast did the English generally visit 1 —47. Their first attempt to form a settlement 1 What is 


























( 32 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 

I 48. The cu]'^ny remained at Roanoke about a year, under 
i the charge of Ralph Lane as governor, when they returned to 
I England, on account of the hostility of the Indians, and the 
i want of provisions. A few days after they had sailed. Sir 
; Richard Grenville, who had been sent out by Raleigh, arrived 
at Roanoke, but finding the colony gone, he landed fifteen 
men, and left them there to keep possession of the island. 

49. The next year Raleigh sent out another company of 
emigrants, under the command of Captain White; but when 
they reached Roanoke, where they expected to meet the men 
left by Grenville, they found the fort which had been built 1 
there in ruins—the houses deserted—and the bones of their ! 
former occupants scattered over the plain.' They were told 
by some of the Indians that all the white people had been 
killed. 

50. Captain White then left another colony there, and soon 
after sailed for England to obtain provisions, and other sup¬ 
plies. Nearly two years passed away before he was able to 

- return, and when finally he again reached Roanoke, in the 
year 1690, he found the settlement in ruins, and not a single 
white man on the island. Whether the colony had gone else¬ 
where to reside, or all had been killed by the Indians, was 
never known. No farther attempts were made to form a 
settlement at Roanoke. 

51. After this, the English continued to make voyages to 
the American coast; and twelve years later an Englishman 
by the name of Gosnold attempted a settlement on a small 
island called Martha’s Vineyard, near the coast of Rhode Isl¬ 
and ; but the hostility of the natives soon induced him to 
abandon his purpose. This man first discovered Cape Cod, 


j said of Raleigh’s colony 1 Situation of Roanoke Island 7—48. What is said of the return of the 
j colony 7 Of Sir Richard Grenville 7—49. Of the second company sent out by Raleigh 7 What 
were they told 7 50. What did Captain White then do 7 What more is said of the colony that 
I he left there!—51. Give an account of Gosnold! Where is Martha's Vineyard? Cape Cod? 









VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 


33 


which was thus named on account of the number of cod-fish 
found there. 

52. In the year 1606 James the First, then king of England, 
divided that part of North America which was between the 
Spanish possessions of Florida and Mexico on the South, and 
the French possessions of Canada and Nova Scotia on the 
.North, into two districts, calling the northern North Virginia, 
and the southern South Virginia. All this region is now em¬ 
braced in the present United States. 

53. At the same time two companies, composed mostly of 
merchants, were formed in England, to one of which, called 
the Plymouth Company, the king gave North Virginia; and 
to the other, called the London Company, \\q gave South Vir¬ 
ginia. It was expected that these companies would form 
settlements in the territories granted to them. 

54. The Plymouth Company first at¬ 
tempted to make a settlement in Maine, at 
the mouth of the Kennebec River, a short 
distance above Cape Small Point, a place 
which may be seen on the little map in the 
margin. Here a number of persons passed 
a very rigorous winter, during which, their 
sufferings w^ere extremely severe. In the 
spring they abandoned their settlement and 
returned to England. 

55. The London Company was more successful. In the 
latter part of the year 1606 this company sent out a colony 
under the charge of Captain Christopher Newport, with the 
design of forming a settlement on the deserted island of Roa¬ 
noke ; but a storm carried the vessels farther north, into Ches- 


VICINITT OF KEISCNEBEO RIVER 
AND PEMAQUID FORT. 



(See Jlap, p. 159.)—52. What division of the country was made by James the First 1 In what is 
the region thus divided now embraced I—53. What is said of the two companies formed 1— 
64. Give an account of the attempt of the Plymouth Company to form a settlement ? In tvhat 
part of New England is Maine ? (See Map, p. 159.) Describe the Kennebec River. —55. Give an 













VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 


M 

apeake Bay, on the coast of Virginia. From this Bay they 
entered a large stream which “they named James Rivei, and ‘ 
after sailing up the same nearly fifty miles, through a delight¬ 
ful country, in the latter part of May 1607 they selected ai 
place for a settlement, which they named Jamestown, the sit¬ 
uation of which may be learned from the accompanying map. 

56. Before we proceed to give 
an account of the English settle-1 
ments in America, we request the ' 
pupil to examine the map on the 
opposite page. This map shows 
the situation of that part of the 
present United States east of the 
Mississippi River, as it was first 
known to the English, at the time 
when they began their settlements along the Atlantic coast. 

57. The whole country was then a dark and gloomy wilder¬ 
ness, inhabited by tribes'of Indians. The names of the prin¬ 
cipal tribes, and their localities, may be learned from the map. 
The lighter portions of the map show the commencement of 
European settlements, and the early discoveries made by the 
French around the great lakes. 

58. On this map the pupil should find the situation of St. 

Augustine, and Roanoke Island, and Chesapeake Bay, and 
Jamestown; and also of the River St. Lawrence, together 
with Quebec and Montreal; and as he proceeds with the 
history, he should also point out the principal early English 
settlements that were made along the Atlantic coast. i 



JAMESTOWN 
VIRG. 


Smifhfieia 


account of the expedition sent out by the London Company.— What river is next north of 
James River ? What small stream enters James .River north of Jamestown ? Large village 
north-east of Jamestown ? What is the lower portion of James River called ? The north point 
of the entrance to James River? {Fort Monroe is situated on Old Point Comfort.)—66. What 
is said of the next page ?—57. State of the country at this early period, and farther description 
of the Map ? The three largest groupjs of Indian tribes east of the Mississijipi ? Whatfve tribes 
of the Iroquois group south and east of iMhe Ontario ? Wiat tribes next west of Chesapeake 
Bay ? —-68. What should the pupil find and point out on this Map ? 


i 

1 


















































































































































































































































































































P.ART II. 

COLONIAL HISTORY. 


In the preceding part of this History we gave an account 
of the early Voyages, Discoveries, Conquests, &c., made in 
the New World by the Spaniards, the French, and the Eng¬ 
lish. We shall now proceed with an account of the Colonial 
history of the English settlements in America,—that is, the 
history of the English settlements while they were under the 
government of Great Britain. And first we shall give a short 
history of the Virginia Colony. 

I. Virginia.— 1. This colony, as we 
have stated, began its first settlement 
at Jamestown, Virginia, in the month 
of May, 1607. Newport brought with 
him one hundred and five emigrants 
to begin a settlement, but there were 
no women nor children with them. 
Some of these persons came to Amer¬ 
ica through motives of curiosity—a 
desire of seeing the New World; 
others had been tempted by the hope of finding gold and 
silver, and of being able to return to England in a few years, 
with the riches which they expected to obtain. Only a few 
of these men had any thoughts of clearing and planting the 
land, building houses, and of making America their home. 

2. Such men were poorly calculated to commence a settle- 

VTiat is said of the preceding part of this history ? .To what do we now proceed ? With what 
colony do we commence! Bound the State oj Virginia. (See Map, pp. 158 and 159.) —What is 
its capital^ and how situated ? What river and hay separate it from Maryland ? What river on 
the north-western border of the State ? —1. Date of the first settlement in Virginia 1 What is 
said of the emigrants ? Motives that induced these people to come to America 1 — 2. How did 





















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


37 

ment in the wilderness, where nothing is to be gained but by 
labor; and because they were unwilling to work, it was not 
long before they suffered for the want of food. They spent 
, much of their time in searching for gold and silver; and it 
was only after they abandoned this pursuit, and turned their 
attention to clearing and planting the land, that the colony 
became prosperous. 

I 3. The most enterprising and useful man among the settlers 
j was Captain John Smith. He was a man of great strength— 
j -bold, active, judicious, and enterprising ; and,by his exertions 
I alone the colony was often saved from famine, and prevented 
from being destroyed by the Indians. 

4. Soon after the arrival of the colony. Captain Smith, 
taking with him about twenty men, went to visit Powhatan, 
a great Indian chieftain, and king of all the tribes round about 
Jamestown. The principal residence of Powhatan, and the 
capita] of his dominions, was a village of twelve wigwams, 
which stood near the place where is now the city of Rich¬ 
mond, the capital of Virginia. 

5. Powhatan was at this time about sixty years of age, but 
strong and vigorous, tall and well proportioned. His orna¬ 
mental robe was made of raccoon skins, and his head-dress 
was composed of many feathers of various colors, wrought 
into a kind of crown. He received Captain Smith with much 
courtesy; and when his people complained of the intrusion of 
the white people into the country, Powhatan disguised his 
fear, and would only say, “They hurt you not; they only 
take a little waste land.” 

G. Some time after this. Smith, taking with him several 
; men, started in a boat from Jamestown, and rowed up James 


I these emigrants succeed, and when only did the colony become prosperous ?—3. What is said of 
j Captain Smith ?—4. Of his visit to Powhatan 1 Of the residence of Powhatan 1—6. Describe 
Powhatan ; his dress, &c. "What is said about his reception of Smith, and the intrusion of the 
' white people ?—6. Give an account of Smith’s expedition up the Chickahominy. 


4 








COLONIAL HISTORY. 


i ^ 

1 River, and then up the Chickahominy, for the purpose of ex¬ 
ploring the country. Having passed up the Chickahominy 
some distance, he left his boat in a wide place in the stream, 
and ordered his men not to go on shore on any account, but 
to wait there until he returned. 

7. Taking two of his own men, and two Indians as guides, 
he proceeded to examine the country; but the men whom he 
had left went on shore, and were all killed or taken prisoners 
by the Indians. Three hundred Indian warriors, led by Op-e- 
chan-ca-nough, the brother of Powhatan, then started in pur¬ 
suit of Smith, and succeeded in surprising and killing the two 
Englishmen who had accompanied him. 

8. When Smith found himself overtaken, he made a shield 
of one of his Indian guides by tying him to his left arm, and 
then attempted to retreat to his boat, occasionally firing upon 
his pursuers, several of whom he killed. While engaged in 
this manner he accidentally fell into a miry place, where the 
mud was so deep that he could not extricate himself. 

9. Even then, none of the Indians dared lay their hands 
upon him, and those who were nearest to him were observed 
to tremble with fear. Smith then threw away his weapons and 
suffered them to come and take him, when they pulled him out 
of the mud, and then took him to a fire, where they allowed 
him to warm himself, as he was almost perishing with cold. 

10. In order to amuse the Indians, and divert them from 
the preparations which they began to make for putting him to 
death. Smith, instead of begging for his life, asked for their 
chief, to whom he gave a small pocket compass. The chief 
was astonished at the movement of the needle, which he 
could see so plainly, but could not touch on account of the 
glass which covered it. 

7. What occurred after he had left the boat 1—8. "When he found himself overtaken 7 What 
accident befel him ?—9. How did the Indians act 1 How did they finally take Smith, and what 
did they do with him ?—10. What expedient did he use to divert the Indians 1 









COLONIAL HISTORY. 



11. Smith then explained by signs, and such language as 
he could best make then* understand, the shape of the Earth 
—the courses of the sun, and moon, and stars,—the causes 
of night and day, and many other wonderful things about 
Geography and Astronomy, which amazed them greatly, and 
increased their admiration of his superior genius. 

12. For an hour after this harangue the savages appeared 
undecided what to do with Smith, but their ferocity at length 
returned, and having tied him to a tree, they were on the 
point of shooting him to death with their arrows, when the 
chief, holding up the compass, gave the signal for a reprieve 
until the fate of the prisoner should be decided by Rowhatan. 

13. Smith was then conducted through several Indian vil¬ 
lages, and at one place the Indians practised their conjura¬ 
tions, and ceremonies of feasting, dancing, and shouting, du¬ 
ring three days, in order to learn the character and designs 
of their captive, and whether he intended them good or evil. 
But as they beheld the calmness and serenity of his coun¬ 
tenance, and his apparent unconcern for his fate, their minds 
were bewildered, and many of them believed him to 'be a 
being of a higher order than mortals. 

14. In order to let the people of Jamestown know his sit¬ 
uation, he prevailed upon some of the Indians to go there, 
upon the promise that they should receive certain articles, 
which he described. He sent by them a leaf from his pocket- 
book, on which he wrote for the articles to be sent, which 
were accordingly brought back by them. This astonished 
the Indians greatly, for they could not understand how he 
could talk to his friends at so great a distance. 

15. Smith was finally conducted to Powhatan, who, after 
consulting with his chiefs, decided that the white man should 


11. What did he explain to them ?—12. What is said of their subsequent conduct, and his 
[ reprieve 7—13. What was then done with Smith ? What did the Indians think of him ?— 

[ 14. What is said of his writing to Jamestown ?—15. Of his being condemned to death, and the | j 


















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


40 

be put to death. A large stone was then brought, on which 
the head of Smith was placed, and Powhatan himself, who 
claimed the honor of being the executioner, had already 
raised his war-club to dash out the brains of the prisoner, 
when Pocahontas, the young and beautiful daughter of the 
chief, rushed in, and falling on her knees, with tears and en¬ 
treaties besought her father to spare the life of the captive. 



POCAHONTAS SAVING THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN SMITH. (ScC p. 50.) 


16. Unable to resist the entreaties of his kind-hearted 
daughter, the savage chief relented, and Smith was set at lib¬ 
erty. The Indians then promised to make him king if he 
would assist them in destroying the white people, but when 
they found that nothing could induce him to turn against his 
countrymen, they conducted him in safety to Jamestown, and 
parted from him with many promises of friendship. 

intercession of Pocahontas ?—16. Of his release, and final return to Jamestown ? 






















I COLONIAL HISTORY. 41 

I----- 

I 17. On the return of Smith, he found the colony reduced 
i to forty men; and such had been their sufferings during his 
absence, that it was with difficulty that he could persuade 
them to relinquish the design of abandoning the country and 
returning to England. From time to time additional emi¬ 
grants arrived, and gradually new settlements sprung up 
around Jamestown, encroaching more and more upon the 
wild domains of savage life. 

18. Notwithstanding Powhatan had once spared the life of 
Smith, yet he afterwards meditated the destruction of all the 
white people ; but the latter kept well on their guard, although 
some of them were occasionally killed in the woods by the 

! Indians. Pocahontas was at all times the friend of the Eng¬ 
lish, and often, unknown to her father, gave them information 
of the designs of the savages against them. 

19. Powhatan often tried to get Captain Smith in his power 
again, as he feared him more than all the rest of the English; 
but as Smith always went well armed, none of Powhatan's 
warriors dared attack him, although he often went into their 
country, with only a few men, to buy corn of them. 

20. At one time, when the English were nearly destitute 
of provisions, Powhatan refused to sell any more corn, pre- 

> tending that he had none to spare. Smith, however, knew 
the contrary, and going to see Powhatan, showed him, as if 
by. accident, a few blue beads, which greatly excited the curi¬ 
osity of the chief. Smith pretended that he would not part 
with them on any account, as he said they were worn only 
by great kings in his country. This only rendered Pow¬ 
hatan the more desirous to possess them, and he finally gave, 
for a pound or two of beads, nearly three hundred bushels 
of corn. 

17. Situation of Uie colony on his return 1 New settlements, &c.—18. What is said of the 
farther designs of Powhatan 1 What is said of Pocahontas ?—19. Of Powhatan’s attempts to 
get Smith in his power ?—20. Relate the anecdote about the beads. 





COLONIAL HISTORY. 


42 

21. Sometimes Powhatan would sell large tracts of land for j 
1 a few such trifles : and at one time he gave eighty bushels of j 
I corn for a small copper kettle, which Smith pretended was i 
' of great value. If anything new particularly pleased the 
fancy of Powhatan, he would part with almost anything he 
had in order to possess it.—Such was the manner in which 
the ignorant Indians were treated by the artful white people ; 
but justice of such treatment is greatly to be doubted, 
j 22. In the year 1609 Smith was so injured by an accidental 
explosion of gunpowder, that he was obliged to return to 
England for surgical aid. Powhatan now became more and 
more hostile, until finally, in 1611, the English seized Pocahon¬ 
tas and carried her to Jamestown, where they designed to 
keep her until Powhatan should consent to make a treaty of 
peace with them. When Pocahontas was informed of the 
reason of her captivity, her grief subsided, and she made no 
attempt to escape. 

23. While she thus resided at Jamestown, an Englishman 
by the name of Rolfe became attached to her, and, having 
won the affections of the maiden, desired her in marriage. 
Her father gave his consent, and the marriage ceremony was 
performed in the year 1613, after Pocahontas had openly re¬ 
nounced her country’s idolatry, and been publicly baptized in 
the Christian faith. In consequence of this alliance by mar¬ 
riage, the Indians now became the friends of the English, and 
so continued during the remainder of the life of Powhatan. 

24. Pocahontas lived happily with her husband, whom she 
accompanied to England, three years after her marriage. 
She was introduced at court,' and treated with great kindness 
by the king and queen, and by man}^ of the nobility, but as 


21. About the copper kettle? What is said of Powhatan’s passion for.,novelties? Of the 
i manner in which the white i)^ple treated the Indians ?—22. Of Smith’s return to England ? 
I Of the seizure of Pocahontas ?—23. llelate the circumstances of her marriage. How were the 
j Indians influenced by it ?—24. llelate the subsequent history of Pocahontas. 























COLONIAL HISTORY. 


43 

she was preparing to return to America she died of a sudden 
illness, in the twenty-second year of her age. She left one 
son, frorn whom are descended some of the most respectable 
families in Virginia. 

25. When Pocahontas went to England, Powhatan sent 
with her one of his chief counsellors, by name To-mo-co-mo, 
with instructions for him to learn the state of the country, and 
note the number of the people, and, if he saw Captain Smith, 
to make him show’ him the God of the English. 

26. When To-mo-co-mo arrived in England, he began, 
accordingly, to number the people, by cutting, in a stick, a 

j notch for every person whom he saw. But he was soon 

I obliged to abandon his reckoning. On his return, being 
questioned by Powhatan about the numdiers of the English, he 
gave the following answer. “ Count the stars in the sky, the 
leaves on the trees, and the sands upon the sea-shore, for such 
is the number of the people of England^ 

27. In the year 1620 the Virginians received an accession- 
to their numbers, which added greatly to their virtue and 
happiness, and also to the permanence of the colony. As yet 
but few women had come to America, and most of the plan¬ 
ters of Virginia had cherished the design of ultimately return¬ 
ing to England. 

28. In order to attach them still more to the country, and 
make them consider Virginia as their home, ninety respectable 
young women were sent out from England by the London 
Company, to become wives for the planters. These were 
soon married, and then others were sent over, the cost of their 

I transportation being paid by the Virginians. The price thus 
paid for a wife was from one hundred and twenty to one hun- 
pred and fifty pounds of tobacco. 


25. Who accompanied her to England, and with what instructions 7—26. Give an account of 
the result of the mission of To-mo-co-mo.—27. What occurred in the year 1620 7 State of the 
colony at this time ?—28. Give an account of this now accession to the colony. 






j 44 COLONIAL HISTORY. | 

i 29. A year or two after this, Powhatan being dead, the 
Indians again became hostile, and suddenly attacking the 
settlements of the whites, succeeded in killing about three 
hundred persons. The celebrated chief Op-e-chan-can-ough 
led the attack, and his object was to kill all the white people 
in the country. 

30. About twenty years later, this same chief, being then 
nearly one hundred years old, incited his people to commence j 
another massacre of the English. About three hundred of the 
whites were killed this time also, but the governor, Sir Wil¬ 
liam Berkeley, led a force against the Indians—drove them 
into the woods—killed great numbers of them, and took Op-e- 
chan-can-ough prisoner. 

31. The chief was at this time so old and feeble that he 
could not raise his eyelids from his eyes, and not being able 
to walk to the battle, he had been carried on the shoulders of 
his men. Being now about to die, and hearing a great bustle 
around him, he ordered one of his attendants to lift his 
eyelids, when he discovered a multitude of people pressing 
around him, to gratify their curiosity of seeing an Indian 
chief die. 

32. Raising himself up haughtily, in a tone of authority he 
commanded that the governor should be called to him. When 
the latter appeared, the old chief said, with indignation, “ If 
I had taken Sir William Berkeley prisoner, I would not 
meanly have exposed him as a show to my people.” These 
were the last words of Op-e-chan-can-ough. 

33. After this time, the settlements of the Virginians in¬ 
creased greatly, and the colony became so strong that it was 
seldom troubled by the Indians.—We now proceed to give an 

29. What occurred a year or two after this30. About twenty years later ?•—31. What is 
related of Op-e-chan-can-ough at the time of the battle 1 When he was about to die 1 —32. Of 
his sending for the governor, &c. 1—33. Of the Virginia settlements after this period 1 To what 
do we now proceed 1 



















! COLONIAL HISTORY. 45 

i account of the colonies that were established in that part of 
I the country which was first named North Virginia, but 
j which was more generally known as New England. 

I 11. Massachusetts. —1. The pres- 
• ent states embraced in what is call- 
' ed New England are Maine, New 
I Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, 

I Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The 
pupil can best learn the situation of 
these states by looking at the map on 
page 157. The first settlement in New 
England was made at Plymouth, in 
the state of Massachusetts, in the year 

1620, thirteen years after the founding of the Virginia colony. 

2. This settlement was made by a number o.f persons who 
had been .driven from England many years before, by per¬ 
secution for their religious opinions. Being opposed to the 
forms and ceremonies of the Episcopal church, which was 
the church established and supported by the laws of England, 
they wished to worship God in a more plain and simple man¬ 
ner. Aiming thus at what they called a purer form of wor¬ 
ship, they were hence called Puritans. 

3. The laws of England required all persons to attend the ' 
worship of the Established Church; and during the reign of 
Queen Elizabeth, laws were passed declaring that any person, 
above sixteen years of age, who refused, during one month, 
to attend the regular church, should be put. in prison ;—that 

1. What are the New England States'? ^Yhere and when was the first settlement made in 
New England ? How is Massachusetts bounded ? CSee p. 157.) What is its capital, and how 
situated? What river in the north-eastern part of the State? (Merrimac.) What capes on 
the coast ? What river passes through the State ? Where is Plymouth ? Lowell ? Springfield ? 
Williamstoivn ? Newbxcryport ? Salem ?—2. Who made the settlement of Plymouth 1 What 
is said of their religious notions ? What name did these people receive, and why ?—3. What 
j were the English laws relating to religious worship ? 























COLONIAL HISTORY. 





; if he persisted in his refusal three months longer he should be 
1 banished from the country ; and that if he refused to leave the 
' country, or ever returned, after banishment, he should suffer 


death. 

4. These laws, together with others of equal injustice, induced 
great numbers of the Puritans to leave England, and settle in 
Holland, and other Protestant states of Europe. Those who 

I remained in England were often fined and imprisoned on ac- 
' count of their religion, and some were put to death. Even 
i those who attempted to leave the country were often pre- 
; vented from doing so. 

5. In the year 1607 a congregation of Puritans, under the 
charge of Mr. John Robinson, attempted to remove to Hol¬ 
land, but when they were ready to embark, orders were given 
that they should not leave the country. They then attempted 
to get away secretly, but were twice discovered and pre¬ 
vented. At another time, after they had got on board a 
ship and started, the captain returned and delivered them up 
to their enemies. 

6. The next year they made another'^attempt, and hired a 
vessel belonging to Holland. But when a part of the men 
had gone on board, but without their wives and children, or 
any of their effects, the Dutch captain, seeing a party of 
armed men approaching on the shore, and fearing danger to 
himself, hoisted sail and carried the men away to Holland. The 
women and children who had been left, after receiving much 
cruel treatment, were finally enabled to reach Holland also. 

7. After remaining here some years, this band of Puritans 
determined to remove to America. For this purpose they ob¬ 
tained two vessels, the Mayflower and the Speedwell, in 


t 4. The effect of these laws ? Treatment of those who remained in England ?—5. "What is said 
1 of Mr. Robinson’s congregation ?—6. Their history until they finally reached Holland 1— 
'' 7. Their preparations for removing to America, and final departure ? 







COLONIAL HISTORY. 47 j 

which they sailed from Holland in the summer of 1620. After i 
stopping at a place in England, to take on board some friends : 
there, they continued their voyage, but the Speedwell soon 
began to leak, and they were obliged to return and leave that 
vessel. Part of those on board they were also obliged to 
leave, but the remainder, numbering in all about one hundred 
persons, they took on board the Mayflower, and again sailed 
away for America. 

8. After a long and dangerous voyage of more than two 
months, on the nineteenth of November they came in sight of 
the bleak and dreary shores of Cape Cod, and two days later 
the vessel was anchored in the bay of the same name. Par¬ 
ties were then sent out to explore the country, and find a 
suitable place for a settlement. 

9. Winter had now arrived, and great hardships were en¬ 
dured from the cold and storm, and from wandering through 
the deep snow which covered the country. Only a few In¬ 
dians were seen, and those fled, upon the discharge of the 
muskets of the English. A few Indian graves were dis¬ 
covered ; and from heaps of sand, several baskets of Indian 
corn were obtained, which furnished seed for a future harvest, 
and probably saved the infant colony from famine. The Pu- 

! ritans resolved*to pay the natives the full value for this corn 
; when they should have an opportunity, and six months later, 

I the payment was made accordingly. 

; 10. On the 21st of December an exploring party of about 

( twenty men landed from their boat on the west side of a ; 
i small bay, and here they selected a place for their settlement, j 
I and named it Plymouth. The 21st of December will long be | 

1 remembered as the anniversary of the landing of the Puritans, i 
i —or, as they are sometimes called, the Pilgrim Fathers of i 
j Neio England, \ 

8. Account of the Toyage, exploring parties, &c.—9. Hardships endured 1 What i» said of the | 
Indians, Indian corn. See. ?—10. Of the “ Landing of the Pilgrims 7” j 









COLONIAL HISTORY. 


! 48 

11. On the opposite page is an engraving designed to re¬ 
present the Landing of the Pilgrims,” and here, in the mar¬ 
gin, is a small map showing the situation of 
Plymouth, where was made the first settlement 
in New England. Two or three miles south 
from Plymouth is a small lake, which was first 
seen by one Francis Billington from the top of 
a tree on a hill. It received its name from its 
first discoverer, and is still called Billington 
sea. 

12. The little colony at Plymouth suffered greatly, during the . 
winter, from colds and consumptions, occasioned by exposure, 
and the hardships of their situation; and by the beginning of 
April nearly half their number had died. Yet the pilgrims 
had before been accustomed to affliction, and those who sur¬ 
vived looked forward with hope to better days. In the wil¬ 
derness of America they could worship God in a manner 
they thought acceptable to him, and for this they were thank¬ 
ful ;—they complained not in all their sufferings, and their 
cheerful confidence in the mercies of Providence remained 
unshaken. 

13. During the winter no Indians visited them, and it ap¬ 
pears that, four years before, a mortal pestilence or plague, 
probably the yellow fever, had raged through the country, by 
which nearly all the natives along that coast were destroyed. 

A way was thus opened for the Puritans, and a place prepared 
where they might settle without dispossessing any of the orig¬ 
inal owners of the soil. The Plymouth people themselves 
looked upon this plague as a special interposition of Divine j 
Providence in their favor, inasmuch as, they said, “ it had de- 1 


11. What is said of the engraving on the opposite page, and the map in the margin ? Of the 
lake south of Plymouth ?—12, SufiTerings of the colony ? Of the manner in which they bore 
th«r afflictions 1—13. Of the plague which had previously desolated the country 1 How re¬ 
garded by the Plymouth people 1 


VIC. OP PLYMOUTH. 





































































































































































































































































































































































COLONIAL HISTORY. 


50 

stroyed multitudes of the barbarous heathen, to make way for 
i the chosen people of God.” 

14. A singular circumstance connected with this pestilence 

may be mentioned. A French ship had been wrecked on Cape , 
Cod some years before, when all of the crew but four were ■ 
killed by the savages. When one of those who had been saved ' 
had learned a little of the Indian language, he told the Indians i 
that God was angry with them for their cruelty, and would I 
destroy them, and give their country to another people. j 

15. Then the Indian king assembled all his people in the 
■presence of the Frenchman, and asked him if the God of the 
white people had so many men, and if he could kill so many 

. Indians. But the Frenchman told him that if they were much 
more numerous, God had many ways to kill them, of which 
they were ignorant. Upon this the Indians laughed at him, 
and called him a foolish prophet. 

16. Soon after this, however, the plague commenced its 
reivages, and carried off all that tribe of Indians but about 
thirty, and all of these, except two, were afterwards killed by 
their enemies. Thus there were none left to dispute with the 
Puritans the possession.of the country. 

17. We have said that the Plymouth people saw no Indians 
during the first winter. One day in the latter part of March, 
however, when they were making their gardens, an Indian 
came boldly into the place alone, and walking through the 
street to the storehouse, exclaimed in broken English, “Wel¬ 
come Englishmen ! welcome Englishmen!” 

18. The name of this Indian was Samoset. He had learned 

a little English from the fishermen who had visited the coast i 
of Maine, and he gave the Plymouth people much information | 
about the country. He was also very useful as an interpre- ij 

14. What singular circumstance is here related 1—15. What occurred when the Indian king | 
assembled his people 1—10. What is said of the ravages of the plague 1—17. Give an account of 
i the first Indian visit received by the Plymouth people.—18. What farther is said of this Indian ? 
























COLONIAL HISTORY. 



ter, in opening a friendly correspondence with several Indian 
tribes who lived farther westward. 

19. In one of his visits to the colony he was accompanied 
by an Indian named Squanto, who, some years before, had 
been carried away by an English vessel, and sold into slavery. 
By the influence of these friendly Indians, Mas-sa-soit, the 
great sachem or chief of the Wam-pa-no-ags, was induced to 
visit the colony. The English made a friendly treaty with 
him, which was kept unbroken during the life of the chief. 

20. The chief of the Narragansetts, however, whose name 
was Canonicus, concluded to make war upon the white people, 
and therefore, in the Indian mode, he challenged them to fight 
with him, by sending them a bundle of arrows wrapped in a 
rattlesnake’s skin. Upon this the Plymouth people sent back 
the skin filled with powder and shot, to show the chief that they 
were prepared for him. But Canonicus, fearing that the plague 

I had been sent back to him to destroy his people, returned the 
I skin unopened, and nothing more 



I was heard from him about war. 


21. A few years after the 


establishment of the Plymouth ^ 


colony, other settlements began 
to be made in the eastern part of 
Massachusetts. In the year 1628 


a company of Puritans settled at | 
Salem, and within two or three S 


years Boston, Charlestown, Cam¬ 
bridge, Dorchester, Watertown, 
and other places in that vicinity, 
were settled. In the marginjs a 
map of the Vicinity of Boston, 


19. What is said of Squanto ? Of Massasoit ?—20. Of Canonicus, the chief of the Narragan- 
settsl—21. Of other settlements in Masaachusetts 1 What map is in the margin 7 Which luay 
from Boston is Salem ? Charlestown ? Cambridge ? Dorchester ? Where is Watertown ? What 


I 














COLONIAL HISTORY. 


5^ 

which place is now a large and beautiful city, and the capital 
of the state of Massachusetts. {See also map p. 96.) 

22. The settlements around Boston enjoyed a great degree 
of happiness and prosperity after the first two or three years 
of their existence, and were seldom disturbed by Indian hos¬ 
tilities, otherwise than as they were sometimes called upon 
to aid the more exposed settlements farther inland. Most of 
the settlers, like those of Plymouth, belonged to the sect 
known in England as Puritans, and were a sober, industrious, 
and Christian people ; but they sometimes committed the great 
error of persecuting those who differed from them in religious 
opinions, although they themselves had left England to avoid 
the persecutions to which they were there exposed. 

23. In the year 1675, fifty-five years after the founding of 
Plymouth, an Indian war broke out, involving nearly all the 
settlements in New England. This is what is called “ King 
Philipps TTar.” The following were the circumstances which 
led to it. 

24. About the year 1662 Massasoit died, leaving two sons. 
These came to the court at Plymouth, and desired that Eng¬ 
lish names might be given them; whereupon the court de¬ 
clared that the elder should be called Alexander, and the 
younger Philip. Alexander dying soon after, Philip became 
king of the Wampanoags. 

25. The conduct of the Indians at this time induced the peo¬ 
ple of Plymouth to believe that the Indians were plotting their 
destruction. They therefore required Philip and his men to 
deliver up their arms, and give an account of the circumstances 
which caused suspicion. , Some of the Indians gave up their 
arms, but others refused to do so. 

small river south of Boston ? What one west ? What one near Charlestown ? What peninsula ! 

north-east of Boston ? What one south-east ? —22. What is said of the prosperity of the settle¬ 
ments around Boston 1 Character of the settlers 1—23. What occurred in the year 1675 1— \ 
24. lYhat is said of the sons of Massasoit ?—25. Of the conduct of the Indians at this time, and 1 
what was required of them 1 ! 










COLONIAL HISTORY. 


26. Many of the Indians were greatly exasperated at the 
conduct of the English, and seeing the settlements of the latter 
extending in all directions, and encroaching rapidly upon the 
Indian hunting grounds, they feared that they would soon be 
deprived of all their lands; and the young warriors urged 
Philip to commence a war against the white people, and either 
kill them all, or drive them out of the country before they be¬ 
came too powerful to be resisted. 

27. Still Philip and the older and more prudent chiefs hes¬ 
itated, for they knew the danger of commencing a war against 
all the English. Buf when the governor of the English settle¬ 
ments around Boston sent a messenger to Philip, asking why 
he was plotting war against the English, and requesting him to 
come to Boston and make a treaty of peace, Philip haughtily 
replied to the messenger, “ Your governor is only a subject 
of the king of England. I shall not treat with a subject; I 
shall treat of peace only with the king my brother. When he 
comes I shall be ready to treat with him.” 

28. An Indian missionary and friend of the whites, one John 
Sassamon, having informed the English that his countrymen 
were preparing for war, the laws of his tribe condemned him 
as a traitor, and he was therefore put to death. The murder- 

I ers were discovered, and executed by the whites, after con- 
I fessing that Philip had instigated them to commit the deed. 
The young Indian warriors, panting for revenge, could no | 
I longer be restrained, and the war commenced without delay. | 
I 29. All the horrors of Indian barbarity followed. The sav¬ 
ages, prowling by the way-side—hanging on the skirts of the 
1 settlements—and skulking around the houses of the whites at 
I midnight, would strike down their victims at the moment when 
I least expected, n,nd then dart off into the forest beyond pur- 


1 26. Of the exasperation of the Indians, &c. 1 —27. Conduct of Philip 7 Message to him, and 
his reply ?—28. Give an account of the immediate causes of the war.—29. What is said of the 
! horrors of Indian barbarity ? 

l i .r:: -..v. 


6 


















54 COLONIAL HISTORY. | 

suit. -None were spared by the savage foe. Women, children, 
and aged men, were tomahawked without mercy or remorse. 

30. Philip induced many other tribes to join him: he led 
his men in all dangerous enterprises, and soon became the i 
terror of New England. The English, however, called out 
all their forces to resist the enemy. At one time they sur¬ 
rounded Philip and his men in a swamp, and, as the only 
means of subduing them, determined to starve them out. But 
the savages escaped by night, and Philip fled to a fPibe called 
the Nipmucks, in the interior of Massachusetts, whom he in¬ 
duced to join him. 

31. Some English troops were then sent into the country 
of the Nipmucks, but they were attacked by the Indians, and 
a number of them killed. The remainder then fled to a place 
now called Brookfield, east of the Connecticut river, but the 
Indians pursued them, and burned the whole village, except 
the house in which the English had taken refuge. 

32. This house they surrounded, and during two days con¬ 
tinued to pour a storm of musket-balls upon it, but without 
killing more than one man. They next set fire to the house 
by pushing against it a cart loaded with flax and tow, at the 
same time guarding the doors that none might escape. But 
at this moment a shower of rain descended, extinguished the 
kindling flames, and thus saved the inmates from destruction. 
Just as the Indians were making another attempt to burn the 
house, a party of English arrived, dispersed the savages, and 
killed many of them. 

33. At this time there were many English villages along 
the valley of the Connecticut in Massachusetts, and nearly all 
these settlements were attacked, and many of them destroyed. 

90. Of the exertions of Philip, &c. Of the English, and what is said of their surrounding 
Philip ? Of the escape of the savages I—31. Of the troops sent into the country of the Nip¬ 
mucks ?—32. Relate what farther occurred at Brookfield.—33. "WTiat is said of the English vil¬ 
lages along the Connecticut river 1 Where is Deerfield ? Hadley ? Springfield ? Hatfield ? 
Where are Northampton and Greenjield ? 








COLONIAL HISTORY. 


We have introduced a map of this part of Massa¬ 
chusetts, that the pupil may see the situation of 
these places, and the towns since formed there. 

34. On the 11th of September, the Indians 
burned the village of Deerfield. On the same 
day Hadley was alarmed in time of public wor¬ 
ship, and the people thrown into the utmost con¬ 
fusion. Suddenly there appeared in the midst of 
the affrighted inhabitants a gray-headed man of 
venerable aspect, who put himself at their head, 
and drove back the savages. 

35. When the people looked around for their 
deliverer, he was nowhere to be seen. Many 
thought that an angel had aided them, but it was 
afterwards found to be one General Goffe, one of 
the judges who had condemned to death Charles 
the First, king of England, and who had fled to 
America to escape punishment. 

36. In October, nearly all the buildings in the 
village of Springfield were burned by the Indians, 
and a few days later they attacked the village of 
Hatfield, but at this place they were repulsed, and 
obliged to retreat. Soon after this, Philip was found to be in 
Rhode Island, among the Narragansett Indians, most of whom 
he induced to join him in the war. The English then sent an 
army of fifteen hundred men to crush the power of Philip in 
that quarter. 

37. They found the Indians assembled at a fort in a large 
swamp, which is represented in the map placed on the next 
page. Here the English attacked the savages on a cold stormy 
day in the month of December, and after a hard fought battle. 


34. What occurred at Deerfield and Hadley ?—35. What singular circumstance was connected 
with the attack on Hadley ?—36. What occurred at Springfield and Hatfield 1 Where was Philip 
found soon after this, and what did the KngUsh do 1—37. Give an account of the swamp fight- 



I 






























COLONIAL HISTORY. 


56 


NARRAQANSETT FORT AND SWAMP. obtained a complete victory. 

Here a thousand Indian war¬ 
riors were killed or mortally 
wounded, and five hundred 
wigwams were burned. 

38. After this battle, Philip 
wandered about from place to 
place until August of the next 
year, when he returned to his 
old residence at Pokanoket, in 
Rhode Island. By this time 
nearly all his warriors had fall¬ 
en, and his wife and only son had been taken prisoners. When 
this last affliction befel him, he exclaimed, in an agony of grief, 
“ My heart breaks: now I am ready to die.” 

39. Philip, having taken refuge in a swamp, one Captain 
Church, having learned his situation, surrounded the place with 
a few men, before Philip was aware of his approach. Philip, 
hastily seizing his powder-horn and gun, attempted to escape, 
but as he ran towards a place where an Englishman and a 
friendly Indian were concealed, the latter shot him through 
the heart. Soon after this, most of the remaining hostile 
chiefs came in and concluded a treaty of peace with the Eng¬ 
lish. Thus terminated “King Philip’s War.” 

40. Only thirteen years after the close of this war, another 
war, usually called “ King WilliawbS War^' commenced, be¬ 
tween the French and Indians on one side, and the northern 
English colonists on the other. This was at first a w^ar be¬ 
tween France and England ; but the French and the English 
settlements took up arms also, and thus the war extended to 



How large was this swamp ? In what town is it ? In what part of the swamp was the fort ? 
What streams in and around the swamp ? What ponds ? What village is near it .’’—38. ‘^Yhat 
became of Philip after this battle, and what is said of the afiQiction th2.i oefel him ?—39. Relate 
the circumstances of his death. What is said of the close of the war 1—40. Of King William’s war 1 

















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


57 

America. The Indians generally took part with the French 
of Canada. The war in America was confined mostly to 
Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and a part of Massa¬ 
chusetts. 

41. There were then only a few settlements 
in Maine, and these were under the government 
of Massachusetts. One of these settlements 
was at Casco Bay, where is now the city of 
Portland. This place, a small map of which is 
given in the margin, was attacked and captured 
by a party of Indians, aided by a few French 
from Canada. 

42. While this war continued, other misfortunes afflicted 
the people of New England. They had some troubles of a 
domestic nature, which arose from their superstition and igno¬ 
rance, as will be seen from the following account of what is 
called the “ Salem Witchcraft.” 

43. At that day the belief in witchcraft was almost univer¬ 
sal in Christian countries, even among the most intelligent 
people. A short time before this, and during a period of only 
two years, between two and three hundred persons were ac¬ 
cused of witchcraft in two counties of England, and more than 
half of these persons were executed for the supposed crime. 
The Puritans of New England did not escape the delusion. 
Like the people of their mother country, they had adopted 
laws declaring the imaginary crime of witchcraft punishable 
with death. 

44. In the year 1692, some children in Danvers, then a part 
of Salem, began to act strangely, and their singular conduct 
was ascribed to the influence of witchcraft. An old Indian | 
woman, a servant in one of the families, was suspected of 

) Origin of this war, &c. ? The Indians 1 Extent of the war in America 1—41. Settlements in 
' Maine ? What occa??ed at Casco Bay 1—42. What is said of other troubles in New England 1— 

^ 43. Of the (ftelief in witchcraft, and laws against it ?—44. What occurred at Danvers 1 


VIC. OP PORTLAND. 

















58 COLONML HISTORY. 

having bewitched the children, and she was therefore whipped, 
until, to avoid being whipped any more, she confessed herself 
a witch. 

45. The people throughout the colony were greatly alarmed: 
many were accused of having bewitched others, and on this 
foolish accusation a number were executed. Even one pious 
clergyman suffered death; and finally, not even magistrates, 
and persons of the highest respectability, were secure from an 
accusation of witchcraft. 

46. At length, however, the eyes of the people began to be 
opened, and they became convinced that they were acting 
under the influence of a delusion. They grievously lamented 
their folly in believing such absurdities, and took measures for 
repairing, as far as in their power, the wrongs that had been 
committed by a perversion of justice. 

47. One of the closing events of King William’s War was 
an Indian attack on the town of Haverhill, in the northern part 
of Massachusetts. Eight houses were suddenly attacked, and 
every one of the owners killed while defending them. 

48. There was one house in the outskirts of the town, oc¬ 
cupied by a Mr. Duston, with his sick wife and infant, and 
nurse, and seven children. The father had just started the 
children from the house when the savages were seen ap¬ 
proaching, and as no time was to be lost, he seized his gun, 
mounted his horse, and rode after them, designing to snatch 
up one, if possible, and escape with it, 

49. When, however, he reached the little group, his resolu¬ 
tion failed him, for a father’s love could not abandon any of 
his children to the merciless tomahawk, and he resolved to 
stay and defend all, or share their fate. He therefore faced 
about and met the savages, who had closely pursued him, re- 

45 . The extent of the delusion 1—46. The ending of iti—47. What is said of tho attack on 
Haverhill 1—48. Of the attack on Mr. Duston’s house ?—49. Kelate the circumstances of the 
escape of Mr. Duston and his children. 







COLONIAL HISTORY. 


59 

turning their shots with spirit and success. Hiv-’ couiage and 
resolution soon induced the Indians to abandon the pursuit, 
and he was thus enabled to conduct this part of his family to 
a place of safety. 

50. In the meantime the Indians had entered his house, 
which they plundered, after dragging Mrs. Duston from the 
bed. The nurse attempted to escape with the infant, but was 
overtaken ; and the child, being thought an incumbrance, was 
remorselessly put to death. The house was then set on fire, 
when Mrs. Duston and the nurse, the former scarcely able to 
walk, were compelled to commence their march for the dis¬ 
tant wilderness. 

51. The Indians started with thirteen captives; but such 
as, through weariness or sickness, became unable to travel, 
were murdered by the way. Mrs. Duston and her nurse, 
however, kept up with their new masters, until they reached 
their Indian home, one hundred and fifty miles from Haverhill. 
After journeying a while, the captives had been divided among 
the Indians; and Mrs. Duston, her nurse, and a boy of four¬ 
teen, had fallen to the lot of an Indian family, twelve in number. 

52. These three persons, being told that they were soon to 
set out for an Indian village farther in the interior, where they 
would be stripped naked, and^.compelled to run the gauntlet 
between two files of Indians, resolved to attempt an escape 
from captivity. Mrs. Duston instructed the boy to inquire of 
one of the Indians, the best and surest mode of killing an enemy; 
and the Indian, not mistrusting the object of the inquiry, showed 
him how and where to strike. Their plans being completed, 
they arose one night when the Indians were asleep, and softly 
arming themselves with the tomahawks of their masters, they 
quickly dispatched ten of the twelve Indians. 

60. What occxirred at the house in the meantime ?—51. During the march into the wilder- 
negg 1^2. What were Mrs. Duston and her companion told, and what did they resolve to do ? 
Relate the circumstances of their killing the Indians. 




















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


60 

53. Only one Indian woman and boy escaped. Mrs. Dus- 

ton killed her own savage master, and the English boy killed 
the Indian who, the day before, had so freely told him where 
to strike a deadly blow. The three captives succeeded in i 
reaching their homes in safety, filling the land with wonder at , 
their successful daring. j 

54. Soon after King William’s War was terminated, another 
war, called Queen Anne^s TWzr,” broke out between France ! 
and England, and extended to America ; but we have not 
room to give an account of it here. Like all the other Indian 
wars, it occasioned great suffering among the English colonists. 
The French from Canada often accompanied the savages in 
their expeditions against the English settlements, and seldom 
made any effort to restrain their cruelties. 

55. In the year 1744, another war, usually called King 
George^s War’’ broke out between France and England, again 
involving in hostilities their settlements in America. The 
most important event of this war in America was the siege 
and capture of Louisburg, a strong French fortress on the 
island of Cape Breton. We give below a map of this island. 


53. Farther particulars, and return of the captives ?—54. What is said of Queen Anne’s 
War ?—55. Of King George’s War 1 The most important event in this war 1 Of the accompa¬ 
nying maps 7 Where is the island of Cape Breton 7 Which way from Nova Scotia ? Its 





















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


61 


I and also an enlarged map of the vicinity of Louisburg, as it 
was at the time of its capture in 1745. The island of Cape 
Breton is in the southern part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as 
may be seen by looking at the map on page 31. 

56. Louisburg was captured by a body of troops from New 
England, aided by an English fleet. The place where the New 
England troops landed, in Gabarus Bay, and also the situation 
of their camp east of the landing-place, may be seen on the 
map. Between the camp and the city was an extensive marsh 
o^r swamp, across which the men drew their cannon on sledges. 

57. They then erected batteries and dug trenches near the 
city; they also seized a fortress called the Royal Battery, and 
also erected a battery on Light House Point, on the opposite 
side of the harbor. The French still held the Island Battery 
at the entrance of the harbor, but the English, with their heavy 
guns, beat down the strong walls of the city, when the French 
were obliged to surrender. 

58. About three years after this important event, peace was 
concluded between France and England; but about six years 
later still another war began between those two countries, 
likewise involving in hostilities their 

' colonies in America. This was called 
I the “French and Indian War,’’some 
! account of which will be given after we 
I shall have passed over the early histo- 
; ries of the other English colonies. 

III. New Hampshire.—!. New 
; Hampshire, during most of its early 
history, was under the government of 

' capital? Its northern cape ? Principal river 7 In what part of th6 island is Louisburg ? On 
\ what bay ?—56. By whom was Louisburg captured 7 What is. said of the place of lauding. 

! camp, marsh, &c. 7—57. Give an account of the siege and surrender of the place.—58. iV^hat 
j more is related under the history of Massachusetts 1—III. 1. What is said of the early history 









COLONIAL HISTORY. 


02 

Massachusetts, and was involved in the same wars, and expe¬ 
rienced sufferings similar to those which afflicted the people of 
Massachusetts, and therefore there is little need of giving an 
extended account of its separate history. 

2. The first settlements in New Hampshire were made on 
or near the Piscataqua or Salmon Falls 
River, in the year 1623. In that year 
one party of emigrants, from England, 
settled at a place called Little Harbor, 
two miles below the present city of Ports¬ 
mouth. The letters L. H. on‘the accom¬ 
panying map show the situation of this 
place. Another party of emigrants set¬ 
tled at a place called Dover, which may 
likewise be found on this map, twelve 
miles north-west from Portsmouth. 

IV. Connecticut. —1. In the year 1633, 
the Dutch, who had settled at New-York, 
as will be hereafter related, erected a fort 
or trading house at the place where is now 
the city of Hartford. A short time after 
this, and during the same year, the people 
of Plymouth sent a company to Connec¬ 
ticut, who sailed up the river past the 
Dutch fort, and began a settlement at 
Windsor. 


of New Hampshire 1 How is New Hampshire hounded ? (See Map, p. 157.) Wfiat is its capital^ i 
and how situated ? (It is on the Merrimac River.) Describe the Merrimac River. What river j 
between New Hampshire and Vermont ? What river forms part of the eastern boundary of the 
state ? (Piscataqua River.) What mountains in New Hampshire ? What lake in the interior ? 
(Lake Winnipiseogee.)—2. Give an account of the first settlements in New Hampshire. 

IV. How is Connecticut bounded 7 (See Map, p. 157.) What are its tivo capitals, and how are 
they situated! What large river runs through the state 7 What river in the western part of the 
state 7 (Housatonic River.)—1. Give an account of the first two settlements in Connecticut. ! 


VICINITY OP PORTSMOUTH. 



















I COLONIAL HISTORY. 63 

j 2. The Dutch disliked this intrusion of the English, and 
when the Plymouth sloop was sailing past their fort they 
ordered the captain of the vessel to pull down the English 
flag, as an acknowledgment that the country belonged to the 
Dutch. Although the Dutch stood at their guns with lighted 
matches, and threatened to fire on the sloop, yet the captain 
proceeded resolutely onward without heeding them. 

3. In the autumn of the year 1635, about sixty 
men, women, and children, from Massachusetts, 
made a toilsome journey through the wilderness, 
and settled at Windsor, Hartford, and Wethers¬ 
field, three places which may be seen on the 
little map in the margin. On the seal of Con¬ 
necticut, it will be observed, are three Grape 
Vines, each twining around and sustained by an 
upright support. These were designed to repre¬ 
sent the three early settlements in Connecticut. The appro¬ 
priate Latin motto on the seal, reads, in English, “He who 
transplanted still sustains.” 

4. The very year after these three towns were settled, the 
infant colony of Connecticut became involved in a war with 
the powerful tribe of Pequod Indians. After the Indians had 
killed many of the English, the latter collected all the troops 
they could spare from the defence of their dwellings, and in 
the year 1637 marched into the country of the Pequods, in 
the south-eastern part of Connecticut. 

5. The English, under the command of Captain Mason, sur¬ 
rounded the principal Pequod fort< early one morning, when 
most of the Indians were still asleep, but the barking of a 

I dog betrayed their approach, and the alarm was given. 

j 2. What occurred as the English were sailing past the Dutch fort 1—3. In the autum of 16351 
I vnmt river enters the Connecticut at Hartford 1 In what direction from Hartford are Windsor 
and Wethersfield ? What is said of the seal of Connecticut 1—4. Of the Pequod war ?—5. Of the 
attack on the Pequod fort? 


VIO. OF HARTFORD. 















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


Scarcely, however, were the enemy aroused from their slum¬ 
bers, when Mason and his little band, having forced an en¬ 
trance, commenced the work of destruction. 

6. The Indians fought bravely, but bows and arrows availed 
little against weapons of steel. Yet the vast superiority of 
numbers on the side of the enemy for a time rendered the 
victory doubtful. “We must burn them,” shouted Mason, and 
applying a fire-brand, the frail Indian cabins were soon envel¬ 
oped in flame. 

7. The English now hastily withdrew and surrounded the 
place, shooting down such as attempted to escape, while others, 
to the number of nearly six hundred, perished in the awful con¬ 
flagration. By this decisive victory on the part of the English, 
the powder of the Pequods was forever broken, and many years 
of peace were secured to the people of Connecticut. 

8. The next year, 1638, New Haven was settled by a com¬ 
pany of Puritans from England, who had cho¬ 
sen for their pastor the Rev. John Davenport. 
These pious people declared that the Bible 
should be their only law-book. New Haven 
continued a separate colony nearly thirty years. 
New Haven is beautifully situated at the head of 
a harbor which sets up four miles from Long Is¬ 
land Sound. Yale college is located at this place. 

9. During King William’s War, of which we have already 
given an account, the settlements in Connecticut suffered but 
little, but they furnished their proportion of troops for the 
common defence. At diflferent times, however, they had dif¬ 
ficulties with the English governors of New York, who deter¬ 
mined to extend their authority over Connecticut. 


VIC. OF NEW HAVEN. 



6 . Give an account of the battle '1—7. Of the destruction of the Indians .'•—8. Of the settle¬ 
ment of New Haven,—its situation, &c. What small rivers enter the harbor ? What fort on the 
I east ? River farther east ?—9 Connecticut during King William’s Wat I Difaculties with the 
I governors of New York 1 











j COLONIAL HISTORY. 65 

10. At one time, Andros, the king’s governor of New York, 
came to Hartford while the AssemMy was in session, and de¬ 
manded the surrender of the Connecticut charter. A discus¬ 
sion arose about it, and in the evening the charter was brought 
in and laid on the table. 

11. While the discussion was proceeding, and the house 
was thronged with citizens, suddenly the lights were blown 
out. The utmost decorum prevailed, but when the candles 
were re-lighted, the charter was missing, and could nowhere 
be found. A Captain Wadsworth had seized it, and hidden it 
in a hollow tree near the place of meeting. That tree, which 
is believed to be still standing, retains, to this day, the vene¬ 
rated name of “ The Charter Oak.” 

12. Six years later, during the time of King William’s War, 
Colonel Fletcher, then governor of New York, came to Hart¬ 
ford, with a commission from King William, giving to him the 
command of the militia of Connecticut. The people, however, 
contended that the command of the militia was given to their 
own governor by the charter; and they determined not to 
surrender this right to the governor of any other colony. 

13. The Hartford militia companies, under their captain, 
Wadsworth, were called out by Fletcher, who ordered his 
commission to be read to them. But as soon as the reading 
commenced. Captain Wadsworth ordered the drums to be 
beaten. Fletcher commanded silence ; but no sooner was the 
reading commenced a second time, than the drums were 
again beaten louder than before. Fletcher again commanded 
silence, but Wadsworth, ordering the drummers to proceed, 
turned to Fletcher with angry looks, and said to him, “If I 
am interrupted again, I will make the sun shine through you 
in a moment.” Fletcher thought it best to make no farther 
attempts to read his commission, and he soon after returned to 

10. Visit of Andros to Hartford 1—11. Concealment of the charter ?—12. The controversy with 
Fletcher ?—13. Relate what occurred when he attempted to read his commission. 


















r 


COLONIAL HISTORY. 


New York, leaving ihe militia still under the command of 
their own officers. 

V. Rho:>e Island. —1. It has been 
mentioned in the twenty-second verse 
of the history of Massachusetts, that 
although the Puritans had fled from 
England to escape veHgious persecu- ; 
tion, yet they sometimes persecuted ; 
those whose opinions differed trom 
theirs. It was religious persecution / 
that led to the first settlement of > 
Rhode Island. The first white m?n j 
who settled in this little state was Roger Williams. 

2. This man was a native of Wales, and, when a mere boy, 
was noted for his piety. It is said that Sir Edward Coke, the 
great English lawyer, saw him one day at church, and being 
struck with his devout attention during worship, found that he 
was taking notes of the sermon. Sir Edward afterwards sent 
for him, and became so well pleased with his talents and char¬ 
acter, that he obtained permission from the young man’s pa¬ 
rents to give him an education at one of the Oxford colleges. 

3. Roger Williams came to Massachusetts a few years after 
the first settlements were made there, and soon after became 
the pastor of the church at. Salem. Having asserted that , 
government ought to protect all denominations of Christians, 
and having also advanced some religious opinions not in ac¬ 
cordance with those of the people, the government of Massa¬ 
chusetts banished him from that colony. 

4. This was in the depth of winter; and Williams, to avoid 



V. How is Rhode Island bounded ? (See Map, p. 157.) Its capital^ and how situated ? {It is 
at the head of Narragansett Bay.) What island south of Rhode Island? —1. What is said of 
religious persecution, as connected with the settlement of Rhode Island ?—2. Of the early life of 
Roger Williams 1—S. Of his residence in Massachusetts, and banishment ?—4. Of his flight, and 
























----- - - ^ 

COLONIAL HISTORY. 67 

being sent to England, fled to the Narragansett Indians, whom 
he had before visited, and who were then friendly to the white | 
people. The Narragansett chiefs kindly opened their cabins ■ 
to him, and gave him a shelter from the storms of winter. 
Williams afterwards said of them, “ These ravens fed me in | 
the wilderness.” i 

5. In the following spring, which was in the year 1636, 
Williams, being joined by a few faithful friends from Massa¬ 
chusetts, went to a place called Seekonk, 
with the intention of settling there ; but soon 
after he relinquished this design, and pro¬ 
ceeded to a place at the head of Narragan¬ 
sett Bay, and there began a settlement. In 
acknowledgment of the mercies of Heaven, 
he named the place Providence. Here now 
stands a beautiful city, the capital of the state 
of Rhode Island. In the year 1639, some 
friends of Williams settled at Newport, on 
the Island of Rhode Island. In the margin 
is a map designed to show the situation of 
these places. 

6. In the colony which Williams had planted, the principles 
of religious toleration were established by law; and Rhode 
Island became an asylum for the persecuted of all sects. One 
of the laws of the colony declared that “ all men might walk 
as their consciences persuaded them, without molestation, 
every one in the name of his God.” How different from that 
persecuting spirit which then prevailed in Old England, and 
even in some of the American colonies ! 


residence among the Narragansett Indians 7—5. Of his going to Seekonk, and final settlement 
at Providence 1 What is said of the name of this place 1 Of the settlement of Newport ? How 
is Newport situated ? Where are the islands of Conanicut and Prudence ? Where is Bristol ? 
Swansey ? Tiverton ? Greenwich ? Point Judith ? —C. What is said of religious toleration in 
Rhode Island 1 


NARRAGANSETT BAT, &C. 





















68 


COLONIAL HISTORY. 



VI. New York. —1. In the year 1609, 
Henry Hudson, an English mariner, 
then employed in the service of the 
Dutch East India Company, sailed into 
New York Bay—discovered the island 
of Manhattan, on which now stands 
the city of New York—and sailed more 
than a hundred miles up the noble river 
which bears his name. Hudson then 
returned to Europe, and gave to his 
Dutch employers a brilliant account of his discoveries. 

2. The next year Hudson was employed by a company of 
English merchants, in an attempt to discover a passage through 
the continent to the Pacific. In previous years he had sailed 
twice with the same object, but without success, for no such 
passage exists. 

3. In this, his last voyage, Hudson discovered and entered 
the great bay which bears his name, and there passed the win¬ 
ter. When spring opened, his provisions were exhausted, 
and the hardy mariner wept as he divided his last bread among 
his men. He attempted .o sail lor Europe, but during two 
days his ship was surrounded by fields of floating ice, and 
the discontents of his crew broke forth into open mutiny. 

4. Hudson, with his only son, and seven others, were then 
seized and thrown into an open boat, which was cut adrift just 
as the ship made its way out of the ice into the open sea. 
What became of Hudson and his unfortunate companions— 
whether they died miserably of starvation, or reached land to 
perish by the fury of the natives, or found their graves in the 
gloomy waste of waters—was never known. 

VI. How Neiv York hounded ? (See Map, p. 158.) Its capital^ and how situated ? Its 
largest city ? Largest river ? Lake on the north-east ? Where is Buffalo ? Rochester ? Osviego ? 
SacketVs Harbor? Troy? —1. Give an account of the voyage of Hudson in 1609.—2. How 
was he employed the next year ?—3. Give an account of his last voyage.—4. What is known of 
the fate of this man ? 


























COLONIAL HISTORY. 


69 ^ 


’ 5. The Dutch claimed the 

j country which Hudson had dis- 
1 covered while in their service, 
and, in the very year in wdiich 
he perished, they began their 
trading voyages to the Hudson 
River, and soon after erected a 
few rude hovels on the island of 
Manhattan. This whole island, 
on which now stands the largest 
city in America, was purchased 
of the natives for the value of 
about twenty dollars. The situ¬ 
ation of New York, together with the surrounding cities and 
villages, may be seen by examining the accompanying map 
in the margin. 

6. The Dutch soon extended their trade with the natives as 
far up the river as Albany, near which 
place, on a small island, they erected a fort, 
or block-house, in the year 1615. Their 
settlement on Manhattan Island they call¬ 
ed New Amsterdam, and that at Albany, 

Beaverwyck, while their fort at the latter 
place they called Fort Orange. The 
whole country in their possession they 

I called New Netherlands. 

7. The Dutch retained possession of New Netherlands until 
I the year 1664, a period of about fifty years, when an English 


ALBANY AND VICINITY. 



NEW YORK. AND VICINITY. 



j 

I 

1 

j 


6. 'What is said of the Dutch claims, voyages, &c. ? Purchase of Manhattan Island ? Of the 
map in the margin ? How is New York city situated ? Where is New York Bay ? What bay 
west of it? Where are Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Jersey City? Wheie is Newark? What 
two rivers enter the head of Newark Bay ? What large island east of New York city ? South- 
xoest of it ? Where are the Narrows ? —6. What is said of the settlement of Albany 1 Names of 
the Dutch settlements, &c. ? How is Albany situated ? Schenectady ? Troy ? —7. Remaining 


6 























70 


COLONIAL HISTORY. 


fleet arrived and demanded the surrender of the country. The 
Dutch governor at that time was Peter Stuyvesant. He did 
all in his power to induce his people to take up arms and re¬ 
sist the English, and it was not until two days after the magis¬ 
trates of New Amsterdam had agreed to the surrender, that 
he reluctantly yielded it. The country of New Netherlands 
was then named New York. During the next year a Dutch 
fleet arrived, and re-conquered the country ; but in the suc¬ 
ceeding year it was restored to the English, who held it until 
the American Eevolution. 

8. The English people of New-York were engaged in sev¬ 
eral of the wars which afflicted the New England settlements. 
In the year 1690, soon after the commencement of King Wil¬ 
liam’s War, a party of French and Indians surprised Schenec¬ 
tady in the depth of winter, while the inhabitants were asleep, 
and after killing sixty persons, and taking thirty prisoners, 
burned the place. 

9. The people of New York raised a large force to aid the 
New England people during Queen Anne’s War; and during 
King George’s War they made some preparations for an expe- 

dition against Canada, which were in- ' 
terrupted by the treaty of peace.—We 
are obliged to pass over many inter¬ 
esting events in the early history of 
New York, owing to the want of room 
to narrate them here. 

VII. Delaware.— 1. As the Dutch 
included Delaware in their territory 
of New Netherlands, and as the set- 



history of New Netherlands, while in the possession of the Dutch ? Change of name ? Recap¬ 
ture, and restoration of the country ?—8. Of the Indian wars in which the English people of 
New York were engaged 7—9. Of Queen Anne’s and King George’s War 7 Other events, &c. 
VII. Hoio is Delaioare bounded ? (See Map, p. 158.) Its capital ? —1. Why is the early his- 








COLONIAL HISTORY. 


71 

tlements in that little state were for a time under the English 
government of New York, an account of the early history of 
Delaware is sometimes connected with that of the province 
of New York. 

2. The first attempt to form a settlement in Delaware was 
made by the Dutch, under Captain De Vriez, who, in the year 
1631, erected a fort at a place now called Lewistown, near 
Cape Henlopen. After De Vriez had resided there a year he 
returned to Europe, leaving the care of the infant colony to 
one Osset. 

3. The folly and imprudence of this man soon involved the 
little colony in destruction. An Indian having committed a 
petty theft, Osset demanded the punishment of the offender; 
and finally, to appease him, the culprit was put to death by the 
tribe to which he belonged, and his head sent as a peace offer¬ 
ing to the Dutch commander. 

4. Although Osset had not demanded such severity, and 
although the Indians, of their own accord, had doomed the 
death of the offender, yet they looked upon Osset as the cause, 
and sought revenge. Entering the Dutch fort under the pre¬ 
tence of trade, when most of the garrison were engaged in 
labor in the fields, they murdered the unsuspicious Osset and 
the single sentinel who attended him. Thence proceeding 
to the fields, they massacred every colonist, so that not one 
escaped. 

5. When in 1632 De Vriez returned from Holland, instead 
of finding a flourishing settlement, he was called to mourn 
over the unburied bodies of his friends, and the ashes of their 
dwellings. The natives themselves informed him of the cir¬ 
cumstances of the massacre, and he thought it prudent to par¬ 
don, where he had not the power to punish. Soon after, he 

tory of Delaware sometimes connected with that of New York 1—2. What is said of the first 
attempt to form a settlement in Delaware 1—3. Of the imprudence of Osset 1—4:. Of the destruc¬ 
tion of the colony 1—6. Return of De Vriez, &c., and perfidy of the natives 1 








COLONIAL HISTORY. 


72 

t himself narrowly escaped the perfidy of the natives, being * 
’ saved by the kindness of an Indian woman, who informed him 
I of the murderous designs of her countrymen. De Vriez soon 
returned to Holland, when not a white man was left within 
the limits of Delaware. 

6. In 1638, a company of Swedes, conducted by a 
Dutch captain, made the first perma- 
NORTHERN PART OF DELAWARE, Settlement In Dekwai'e. They set¬ 
tled at a place which they called Chris¬ 
tiana, or Christina, on a creek of the 
same name, the locality of which may 
be seen on the accompanying map. 
This name was given to their settlement 
in honor of Christiana, the little girl who 
was then queen of Sweden. The Swedes 
named the country in their possession 
New Sweden. 

7. Soon after, the Dutch began to settle near the Swedish 
colony, and finally they built a fort where New Castle now 
stands. The Swedes resented this intrusion, and seized the 
fort by stratagem; but the Dutch from New Netherlands, led 
by Governor Stuyvesant himself, attacked the Swedes, in re¬ 
turn, and conquered their whole country. 

8. From this time, until the conquest of New Netherlands 
by the English in 1664, the Dutch governed Delaware. It 
was afterwards governed by the English as a part of New 
York, until Pennsylvania was settled, when it was granted to 
William Penn, and was governed by him and his heirs until 
the American Revolution. 


His return to Holland ?—6. Give an account of the settlement by the Swedes. Name of the ! 
country"? What rivers or creeks in the northern part of Delaware ? How is Wilmtngton situated ? < 
New Castle ?—7. What is said of the contentions with the Dutch 1 —8. Subsequent history of ! 
Delaware 1 \ 


NORTHERN PART OF DELAWARE. 


















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


73 

VIII. New Jersey. —1. New Jer¬ 
sey was at first included in the Dutch 
I province of New Netherlands; and 
i soon after the Dutch had settled*at 
New Amsterdam, now New York 
city, they made a few feeble settle¬ 
ments on the west side of the Hudson 
River, near the village of Bergen, the 
situation of which may be seen by 
looking at the map on page 69. 

2. The same year that the English fleet conquered the 
country of the Dutch, some English emigrants settled at 
Elizabethtown, and this place was the first capital of the prov¬ 
ince. Its situation may be seen by looking on the map on 
page 69, and also on the map on page 102. 

3. The early colonists of New Jersey suffered but little from 
Indian wars. Their most serious difficulties arose from dis¬ 
sensions among themselves, and from disputes between them 
and their governors or proprietors. These disputes were 
finally terminated in the year 1702, by 
the annexation of New Jersey to the 
government of New York. This union, 
however, continued only until 1738, 
when New Jersey became a separate 
province, with governors appointed by 
the English sovereign. 

i IX. Maryland. —1. The settlement 
! of Maryland was owing to the exer- 

j VIII. How is New Jersey hounded ? (See Map, p. 160.) What is its capital, and how situ~ 

1 ated ? —1. In what was New Jersey first included, and what is said of the early settlements ?— 

* 2. Settlement and situation of Elizabethtown 7—3. What is said of the early colonists, and sub- j 
sequent history of New Jersey 7 * | 

[ IX. How is Maryland bounded ? (Map, p. 160.) What is its capital, and how situated ? | 
I Its largest city! What large river falls into the head of Chesapeake Bay ?—1. To what was the j 











COLONIAL HISTORY. 


74 

tions of George Calvert, a Catholic nobleman of England, 
whose title was Lord Baltimore. The king promised him the 
grant of a tract of land, which, in honor of the queen, Henrietta 
Maria, also a Catholic, was named Maryland. The design of 
Lord Baltimore in planting a colony in America, was to open 
there a peaceful asylum for his Catholic brethren, who were 
then persecuted in England. 

2. As Lord Baltimore died before the charter was completed, 
the same was made out to his son Cecil, who also took the 
title of Lord Baltimore, and readily engaged in carrying out 
the benevolent designs of his father. He appointed his bro¬ 
ther, Leonard Calvert, governor of the intended colony, and 
in the latter part of the year 1633, sent him to America, at the 
head of about two hundred Catholic emigrants, to commence 
a settlement. 

3. Calvert arrived at the mouth of the Potomac River in 
March of the following year, and as soon as he landed he 
erected a cross, and took possession of the country with much 
ceremony, using the words, “ I take possession of these hea¬ 
then lands for our Saviour, and for our sovereign lord the king 
of England.” 

4. As he was aware that the people of Virginia had dis¬ 
pleased the Indians, by occupying their territory without their 
permission, he made a fair purchase of an Indian village, about 
ten miles above the mouth of the Potomac, where he com¬ 
menced a settlement, to which he gave the name of St. 
Mary’s. By his kindness to the Indians, and his just dealing 
with them, he soon won their friendship. 

5. The greatest chief in the country came and made a treaty 
with him, and so much was he pleased with his reception, that 
he declared to the other tribes, “ I love the English so well 

settlement of Maryland owing 1 What is said of the grant to Lord Baltimore,—his designs, &c. ? 
2. What is said of Cecil and of Leonard Calvert ?—3. Of the landing, and taking possession of 
the country 7—4. Dealings with the Indians 7—5. Of a certain noted chief 7 















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


_75 ] 

hat if they should go about to kill me, and I had so much j 

reath as to speak, I would command my people not to avenge ' 
ly death; for I know the English would not do such a thing, 
;xcept it were through my own fault.” 

6. In treating the Indians as he did, Calvert not only pur- 
ued the best policy, but he acted upon the principles of justice, 
vhich always lead to the best results. As the colonists of 
Vlaryland had purchased lands already cultivated, and had no 
ndian difficulties to annoy them, they were able to obtain an 
abundant harvest of corn the first year. No sufferings were 
mdured, and no fears of want were entertained, but from the 
)eginning the colony rapidly advanced in wealth and popu- 

I lation. 

7. But Maryland, as well as the other colonies, had some 
domestic difficulties to encounter. Before the 
grant to Lord Baltimore, one William Clay- 
borne had established a small trading station 
on the island of Kent, in Chesapeake Bay, 
nearly opposite Annapolis, the present capi¬ 
tal of Maryland. This man, refusing to 
submit to the government of Lord Balti¬ 
more, gave the people of Maryland much 
trouble. 

8. There were some difficulties also on account of religion. 
The early Catholic government of Maryland extended relig¬ 
ious toleration to all Christian sects ; but in after years the * 
Protestants came into power, and so persecuted and annoyed 
the Catholics, that civil war followed; and even the heirs of 
Lord Baltimore were for a time deprived of their rights of 
government. These rights they regained, however, before the 
American Revolution. 


6. Of the treatment of the Indians, and the prosperity of the colony ?—7. Of difficulties with 
Clayborne, &c. ? Describe the situation of Annapolis from the small map. —8. WTiat difficulties 
arose on account of religious matters 1 


VICINITY OF ANNAPOLIS. 



























COLONIAL HISTORY. 


76 


X. Pennsylvania. —1. The name of 
William Penn will ever be associated 
with all that is interesting in the early 
history of Pennsylvania. This man j 
was the only son of Admiral Penn, who i 
long served his country with ability ■ 
and honorable reputation, as an officer | 
in the English navy. At an early age i 
the son was sent to the University of 
Oxford, but becoming imbued with the 
principles of a religious sect, called Quakers, or Friends, he 
w^as fined for boldly avowing their sentiments, and afterwards 
expelled from the University, at the age of sixteen. 

2. His father endeavored to persuade him to abandon the 
Quaker principles and manners, and, finding his arguments 
ineffectual, beat him, and even banished him from his home, 
but all to no purpose. He next sent him abroad to make the 
tour of Europe, and thus for a time succeeded in partially di¬ 
verting his mind from his early religious associations. 

3. Soon after his return, however, he chanced to hear the 
same preacher who had so ix>werfully impressed his mind in 
his younger days at Oxford, and his former sentiments revived 
with deeper conviction, and increasing zeal and energy. In 
vain did his father expostulate and threaten,: he could not 
induce him to make a single concession,—not even to take off 
his hat in the presence of the king of England. 

4. For nine months, Penn was imprisoned in the tower of 
London on account of his religious opinions; and when the 


X. How is Pennsylvania bounded? (Map, p. 158.) Its capital^ and how situated? Its 
largest city^ and how situated? (See also Map, p. 78.) What large river passes through the 

state 1 What river on the east ? What two rivers unite at Pittsburg and form the Ohio ? _ 

1. What is said of the name of William Penn 1 Who was William Penn, and what is said of his 
; eariy life?—2. How did his father treat him 7—3. "What is said of the revival of Penn’s Quaker 
' principles, and his perseverance in them ?—4. Of his imprisonment, &c. ? 






















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


77 

bishop of London threatened him with imprisonment for life, 
unless he disavowed the Quaker sentiments, Penn answered, 

“ Then my prison shall be my grave.” 

5. About a year after his release from the tower, he was 
arraigned for having spoken at a Quaker meeting. To his 
accusers he said, “ Not all the powers on earth shall divert us 
from meeting to adore the God who made us.” At another 
time, when the magistrate asked him why a person of his 
estate and family would render himself unhappy by associating 
with such simple people as the Quakers, Penn answered, “ I 
prefer the honestly simple to the ingeniously wicked.” 

6. The father of Penn, before his death, ceased to oppose 
the religious sentiments of his son *, and it is said that he finally 
became a convert to the Quaker principles—telling his son to 
persevere in the way he had chosen, and that he would finally 
triumph over all opposition. 

7. After Penn had spent many years of his life, and much 
of his fortune, in defending and propagating the tenets of 
Quakerism, and in opposing tyranny of all kinds, he turned 
his attention to America, with the hope of being able to estab¬ 
lish there a free government, based on the principles of relig¬ 
ious toleration. 

8. As the English government was indebted to his father, 
he applied for and obtained a grant of territory in America, 
in payment of the debt. In honor of Penn’s father, the terri¬ 
tory thus granted was named Pennsylvania. In the year 
1681, Penn sent out several ships with emigrants, mostly Qua¬ 
kers, and he gave instructions to his agent that he should ' 
govern the little colony in harmony with law and religion— 
that he should gain the good will of the natives,--and that, if 
a city should be commenced as the capital of the province, it 

6. Penn’s conduct when arraigned for speaking at a Quaker meeting ? At another time ?— 

6. What more is said of Penn’s father ?—7. Of Penn’s views in relation to America ?—8. Of the 
grant that lie obtained 1 Of the emigrants ho sent out,—and instructions to his agent 7 








COLONIAL HISTORY. 



should not be like the crowded towns of the old world, but 
should be laid out with gardens around each house, so as to 
form “ a green country-town.” 

9. The next year, Penn himself visited his province. Soon 
after his arrival he invited the neighboring tribes of Indians to 
assemble for the purpose of making a treaty with them. At 
the appointed time the Indian chiefs at the head of their war¬ 
riors, armed and painted in the usual manner, and adorned 
with beads and feathers, assembled beneath an aged elm, which 
stood within the suburbs of the present city of Philadelphia. j 

10. Here William Penn met them, at the head of a company 
of his religous associates, all unarmed, clad in the simple Qua¬ 
ker garb, and bearing in their hands various presents for the 
Indians. Penn then addressed the chiefs in language of great 
kindness, and they replied, by assuring him that they would 
live in love with William Penn and his children as long as the 

sun and moon should endure. It has 
been said that this is the only treaty 
between the Christians and the In¬ 
dians that was not ratified by an 
oath, and the only one that was 
never broken. 

11. Soon after this, Penn himself 
selected a place between the rivers 
Schuylkill and Delaware for the 
capital of his province, and here he 
laid out the plan of a city, with 
parallel streets, and others crossing 
them at ^ right angles; much, it is 
said, according to the plan of the 


PHILADELPHIA AND VICINITY. 



9. Of Penn’s visit to liis province, and assembling of the Indians for a treaty 1 —10. Of the 
conference that followed; and of the treaty ?—11. Give an account of the founding of Phila¬ 
delphia. What is said of the situation of the place, and its name 1 Between what rivers is it ? 
WJuit place opposite Philadelphia, in New Jersey ? Where is Germantown 1 Nvrristoivn ? 
Chester ? What islands in the Delaware, helow Philadelphia ? 
















COLONIAL HISTORY. 79 

ancient city of Babylon. This place, the situation of which, 
and of the towns which have since grown up around it, may be 
learned by examining the map on the opposite page, he named 
Philadelphia, a word which means “Brotherly Love.” 

12. William Penn did everything in his power to render 
prosperous and happy the colony which he had planted in 
America. All religious sects were protected in the free 
enjoyment of their worship; no tyranny of government was 
exercised over the people; and the laws were highly promo¬ 
tive of industry and virtue. The Quakers, or, as they style 
themselves. Friends, many of whom are still found throughout 
Pennsylvania, and in the neighboring states, are a neat, indus¬ 
trious, and honest people; plain in their dress, manners, and 
speech; averse to war and bloodshed ; and friends of Peace 
and good order. 

XL North Carolina. —1. The first 
English settlements in North Carolina 
were made about the year 1650, by 
some planters from Virginia, who set¬ 
tled on the northern shore of Albe¬ 
marle Sound. The little colony estab¬ 
lished there was called, in honor of 
the Duke of Albemarle, the Albemarle' 

County Colony, and during several 
years was connected with Virginia, 
and governed by her laws. 

2. About the year 1660, some people from New England 
sailed into Cape Fear River, and having purchased a tract of 
land from the natives, ^commenced a settlement at the mouth 


12 . What is said of Penn’s efforts for the prosperity of the colony ? Regulations adopted 1 
General character of the Quakers 1 

XI. Howis North Carolina bounded? (Map, p. 159.) Its capital?—!. What is said of the 
first settlements in North Carolina ? Name of the colony, &c. 1—2. Of the settlements near 








80 ’ COLONIAL HISTORY. 

of Old Town Creek, a short distance below 
the present city of Wilmington. The situa¬ 
tion of these places may be learned from the 
accompanying map. 

3. After an existence of about two years, 
the New England colony was broken up by 
the Indians ; but two years later their places 
were supplied by a number of English plant¬ 
ers, who came from Barbadoes, an island in 
the West Indies. -Settlements extended slowly around the 
two colonies of Carolina; the people were generally averse to 
settle in towns; the great aim of each planter being to sur¬ 
round himself with a large estate of landed property. 

4. In these respects the feelings of the Carolinians differed 
greatly from those of the people of the New England colonies. 
In New England, also, the clergy, for many years, had the chief 
direction of affairs; but there was scarcely a clergyman to be 
found in Carolina during the first twenty years of its history. 

5. The people of North Carolina had many difficulties 
among themselves, and they were some¬ 
times troubled by the Indians. During 
the years 1711,1712, and 1713, the Tus- 
carora Indians carried on a war against 
them, but they were finally subdued, and 
driven from the country. 

XII. South Carolina. —1. The first 
settlement in South Carolina was made 
in 1670, by a number of emigrants 

situated ? What island near the mouth of the river ? What 
is its southern part called ?--3. Fate of the New England colony, subsequent settlements, &c. ? 
To what group of the West Indies does Barbadoes belong? (See Map, p. 16.)—4. Contrast be¬ 
tween the people of Carolina and New England ?—5. Domestic troubles and Indian wars ? 

XII.' How is South Carolina bounded ? (Map, p. 159. ) Its capital, and how situated ? 
(See also Map, p. 112.) What river separates it from Georgia? (Savannah River.)—1. Give an 



I Wilmington ? Hoiv is Wilmington 


VICINITY OF WILMINGTON. 


















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


81 


VICINITY OF CHARLESTON. 


from England. The emigrants sailed into Ashley River, and 
on the south or west side of that stream, on the first high land, 
a little above the present city of Charleston, they commenced 
a settlement which was afterwards called Old Charleston. Not 
a vestige of that settlement now remains, except a ditch or moat 
nearly filled, which served as a defence against the Indians. 

2. It -was soon found that the situ¬ 
ation which the settlers had chosen 
was not favorable for a commercial 
town, and they began to look around 
for a more desirable location. There 
was a spot lower down, called Oys¬ 
ter Point, between the rivers Ashley 
and Cooper, which soon attracted at¬ 
tention, on account of its pleasant 
situation, and its delightful and ever- 
verdant groves of cypress, cedar, and 

pine, and here the settlers soon laid the foundation of a new 
town, which they called Charleston. On that spot now stands 
the city of the same name. Its situation may be best learned 
by examining a map, such as the one in the margin. 

3. The people of South Carolina had several wars with the 
Indians, and they also had many domestic dissensions among 
themselves, but we have not room to give an account of them 
here. During the time of Queen Anne’s War, they fitted out 
an expedition against the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine, 
in Florida, but without success. The French and Spaniards 
then invaded South Carolina in return, b it were repulsed with 
considerable loss. 



account of the first settlement in South Carolina ?— '2. Of the founding of the present city of 
Charleston, and describe its situation. What island east of the city? South-east of it in the 
harbor ? At the entrance of the harbor ? What three forts in the vicinity,^ and how situated ?— 
3. "VYhat is said of wars, and domestic dissensions ? Events during Queen Anne’s war 1 

















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


XIII. Georgia. —1. The settlement 
of Georgia, the last of the thirteen Eng¬ 
lish colonies, was owing to the exer¬ 
tions of James Oglethorpe, a member of 
the British parliament, and a general 
in the British army. This kind-hearted 
man, observing that there were great 
numbers of poor people in England, 
who could with difficulty obtain a liv¬ 
ing there, and were often imprisoned 
for debts which they could not pay, conceived the project of 
improving their condition by transporting them to America, 
and giving them the lands on which they should settle. 

2. Without difficulty Oglethorpe found associates to unite 
with him in his benevolent enterprise, and in the year 1732 
the king of England gave them a grant of the country between 
the rivers Altamaha and Savannah, which they were to hold, 
not for their own benefit, but, as was expressed in the charter, 
“ in trust for the poor.” 

3. In November of the same year, Oglethorpe, with nearly 
one hundred and twenty emigrants, 
sailed for America, and after touch¬ 
ing at Charleston, in February follow¬ 
ing he entered the Savannah River, 
and on a high bluff or elevated plain, 
on its south-western bank, com¬ 
menced the settlement of a town, 
which he named Savannah. The 
streets were laid out with great reg- 

'K.lll. How is Georgia bounded 1 (Map, p. 159.) Its capital? Wliat river separates it from 
South CaroUrui? What separates it in part from Alabama? Largest river wholly ivithin the 
state ? (Altamaha River.)—1. To what was the settlement of Georgia owing ? What is said of 
Oglethorpe’s project 1—2. Of the grant obtained by him and his associates 1—3. Of the settle¬ 
ment of Savannah ? Of the streets ; locality of the place, &c. 1 What island in the river, oppo¬ 
site the city? What sounds on the coast? Mention some of the islands .— What two rivers a 

























COLONIAL HISTORY. 


ularity, and public squares were reserved in each quarter of 
the city. This same place, the locality of which may be 
learned from the map, is now the largest town and the prin¬ 
cipal seaport in Georgia. 

4. Oglethorpe soon established friendly relations with the 
Indian tribes around him. A chief of the Creek nation came, 
bringing the skin of the buffalo, having on the inside a paint¬ 
ing representing the head and feathers of an eagle ; and as he 
offered his present, he remarked that the English were as swift 

j as the eagle and as strong as the buffalo; “ but,” said he, “ the 
feathers of the former are soft, and signify love; the skin of 
the latter is warm, and signifies protection; I hope, therefore, 

I that you will love and protect the little families of the Indians.” 

5. The tall and aged chief of the Oconas, called Long King, 
also came to make a treaty for his own and several other 
tribes, and speaking for them all, he said, “ The Great Spirit, 
who dwells everywhere around, and gives breath to all men, 
sends the English to instruct us.” 

6. A chief of the Cherokees, from the mountains of Tennes¬ 
see, also came to see the white strangers. Oglethorpe said to 
him, “ Fear nothing, but speak freely.” The bold mountaineer 
answered, “ I always speak freely : why should I fear ? I am 
now among friends ; I never feared even among my enemies.” 
The kind words, the honesty, the pleasing manners, and noble 
mien of Oglethorpe, secured to the little colony, for many 
years, the respect, confidence, and friendship of the Red men 
by whom they were surrounded. 

7. Some years later, however, difficulties arose with the 
j Spaniards of Florida, who claimed the country where the 
• English had settled. Oglethorpe marched against St. Augus¬ 
tine, but did not succeed in taking the place. The Spaniards, 


' short distance south-west of Savannah 7 —4. What is said of the Indian tribes 7 Of the present 
brought by the Creek chief?—5. Of the chief of the Oconas ?—6. Of the Cherokee chief? Effect 
of Oglethorpe’s policy 7—1. Difficulties with the Spaniards, and invasion of Georgia. Where is 

i < - ■ - ...::: : 













04 . COLONIAL HISTORY. 

in return, invaded Georgia with a large fleet from Cuba and 
St. Augustine, having on board more than three thousand men, 
who landed in the south-western part of the island of St. Si¬ 
mons, which may be seen on the little map below. 

VICINITY OP FJiEDERicA. 8. General Oglethorpe had a force of 
only eight hundred men, who were sta¬ 
tioned at a place now called Frederica; 
yet with this small number he surprised and 
defeated several companies of the enemy. 
He was even preparing to a,ttack the Span¬ 
ish camp, when one of his soldiers deserted, 
and informed the enemy of his designs, and 
stated the number of Oglethorpe’s troops. 

9. As Oglethorpe did not wish the Spaniards to know the 
small numb^er of his forces, he devised a plan for destroying 
the credit of any information which the deserter might give. 
He wrote a letter to the deserter, as though the latter were a 
spy, and contrived that it should fall into the hands of the 
Spanish general. The Spaniard, now believing that the de¬ 
serter had deceived him, and that the forces of Oglethorpe 
were much larger than was pretended, and fearing for the 
safety of his own forces, hastily withdrew, and returned to 
Cuba. Thus, by the skilful management of Oglethorpe, were 
the objects of the Spanish invasion defeated. 

10. When Georgia was first settled, the regulations estab¬ 
lished for its government declared that slaves should not be 
introduced into the colony, and that slavery was not only im¬ 
moral, but contrary to the laws of England. Yet only a few 
years had elapsed before the prohibition against slavery began 
to be evaded, and Georgia, like the two Carolinas, became a 
planting state, with slave labor. 


St. Simon's Isle ? Frederica ? The sea-ports of Brunswick and Darien ?—8. Oglethorpe’s 
force, &c. ? Ilis design of attacking the Spanish camp ?—9. The success of his plan for deceiving 
the Spaniards 1 —10. What is said of the subject of slavery ? 
















, COLONIi\L HISTORY. 85 ] 

XIV. The French and Indian War.—1. Having thus far 
given separate accounts of the early history of the several 
English colonies, we now proceed to the events of the French 
and Indian War, in which nearly all the colonies were engaged. 
We have said that King William’s War, Queen Anne’s War, 
and King George’s War, originated in disputes between France 
and England, and then involved their American settlements in 
the contest. 

2. The French and Indian War also originated in disputes 
between France and England, but those disputes related j 
to the boundaries of their possessions in America. France 
had possession of the Canadas and New Brunswick in the 
north, but she claimed, in addition, all Nova Scotia, part of 
New York and Pennsylvania, and all the extensive country in 
the valley of the Mississippi. The English were not willing 
to allow these claims, and, as the two parties could not settle 
their disputes peaceably, they went to war about them. 

3., The French having built several forts along the southern 
shore of Lake Erie, the English governor of Virginia thought 
it best to remonstrate with the commander of these posts, and 
demand a withdrawal of the troops. It being necessary to 
send some person to confer with the French commander on 
this subject, a young man by the name of George Washington 
was selected for the purpose. 

4. Washington, then only twenty-two years of age, was a 
land surveyor, and being well acquainted with the wilderness 
through which he was to travel, and with the customs of the 
Indians, he accomplished the journey, mostly on^ foot, and in 
the depth of winter, with great credit to himselt, and to the 


XIV. 1. To what do we now proceed, in the fourteenth section ? What is said of other wars of 
• which we have treated 1—2. Of the origin of the French and Indian war; French claims, &c. 1— 

I ' 3. Of the French forts, and the demands of the governor of Virginia 1 Of the person sent to 
confer with the French commander 1—4. "Who was Washington, and what is said of his jour¬ 
ney, &c. 1 


7 








COLONIAL HISTORY. 


I 

entire satisfaction of the governor. The French, however, 
refused to abandon their forts or give up the country. 

5. Washington, at the head of a small body of Virginia 
troops, was then sent into the disputed territory, where he 
defeated a small party of French troops, but did not succeed 
in capturing any of the forts of the enemy. This was in the ■ 
year 1754. The next year several regiments were sent out f 
from England to aid the colonies against the French. 

6. An expedition was first sent 
against the French settlements at the 
head of the Bay of Fundy, which were 
considerd as encroachments on the 
English province of Nova Scotia. The 
English having sailed up to the head 
of the Bay of Fundy, or as it is there 
called, Chignecto Bay, first landed 
near Fort Lawrence. They then 
captured the French forts of Beau Sejour (Bo-sa-zhoor) and 
Gaspereau (Gas-pe-ro) and drove the French from the country. 

7. The next expedition was against the French posts which 
Washington had visited, and was commanded by a British 
general named Braddock. This man had a force of about two 
thousand men, a part being troops from England, and the 
remainder Virginians. Benjamin Franklin, at that time nearly 
fifty years of age, and a man of whom we shall say more here¬ 
after, being then deputy postmaster-general of the British 
colonies, and an influential citizen, was of great assistance to 
Braddock, in enabling him to obtain supplies of wagons and 
provisions. 

8. Braddock, although a brave man, and accustomed to 
European warfare, knew nothing about Indian fighting, and 

I 6. Of his expedition against the French in the year 1754 1 Of the English troops sent to aid the 
I colonies ?—6. Give an account of the expedition against the French in Nova Scotia.—7. The next 
I expedition ? Of Braddock’s force 1 What is said of Franklin I—8. Of Braddock’s character ■} 





















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


. . . ~ i 

moreover, he was too conceited to be advised by Americans. ' 

When Franklin ventured to express some fears that Braddock 
might be ambuscaded by the Indians, that officer smiled at 
what he deemed his ignorance, and replied, “ These savages 
may indeed be a formidable enemy to your raw American 
militia, but upon the king’s regular and disciplined troops, sir, 
it is impossible they should make any impression.” 

9. In the expedition, Washington acted as aid to Braddock, 
and he requested permission to lead the provincial troops in 
advance, for the purpose of guarding against an Indian sur¬ 
prise. Braddock would not listen to him, but continued to 
press forward through the woods, heedless of danger ; when 
suddenly, just as he had crossed the Monongahela, and was 
only nine or ten miles from the French fort, a multitude of 
Indians, concealed by the bushes and trees, poured in a deadly 
fire upon the advancing column, commanded by Lieutenant- 
Colonel Gage. 

10. All the English troops were soon thrown into confusion ; 
and the savages, rushing in from every quarter, shot them I 
down by hundreds. Braddock, after having three horses shot ' 
under him, was himself mortally wounded; and soon every ; 
mounted officer, except Washington, fell. He, although con- i 
stantly on horseback, and more exposed than any other man j 
on the field, not only escaped unhurt by the many balls that 
were fired at him, but rallied the Virginia troops after the | 
regulars had fled, and boldly facing the Indians, drove them j 
back, and thus saved the army from total destruction. 

11. After the defeat, the troops retreated back to the Vir¬ 
ginia settlements, bearing the wounded General Braddock ! 

I along with them. , How severely did he suffer for scorning i 
the advice of Washington and Franklin. He seems to have | 
been utterly confounded by the result of the attack. All the | 

His reply to Franklin, &c. ?—9. What is said of Washington 1 Of the marr'h, and the Indian 
ambuscade ?—10. Give an account of the battle, and its results ?—11. Of the retreat, and the 



















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


88 

first day after the battle he was silent, and at night only said? 

“ Who would have thought it ?” He was silent all the follow¬ 
ing day, only saying at last, “We shall know better how to 
deal with them another time.” He died a few minutes after 
he had spoken these words. 

12. Fifteen years after Braddock’s defeat, Washington trav- i 

elled into the western country, at a time when the Indians were i 
friendly. When he was at a place near the Ohio River, a | 
company of Indians came to him, with an interpreter, having 
at their head an aged ^and venerable chief This chief, learn¬ 
ing that Washington was in that region, had come a long way 
to visit him. i 

13. He said that, during the battle of the Monongahela, he 
had singled, out Washington, and fired his rifle at him many 
times, and directed his young warriors to do the same ; but, to 
his utter astonishment, none of their balls took effect. He was 
then persuaded that the youthful hero was under the special 
guardianship of the Great Spirit, and ceased to fire at him any 
longer. He said he had now come to pay homage to the man 
who was the particular favorite of Heaven, and who, he was 
v.c^T OF L.«E oFoaoE. pBrsuaded, would never die in battle—But 

we must return to the events of the war. 

14. A third expedition, undertaken by the 
English, in the year 1755, was against a 
French post at Crown Point, on Lake Cham¬ 
plain. The English, under the command of 
General William Johnson, proceeded up the 
Hudson River, between which and Lake 
George, and near the place designated as 
Fort George on the accompanying map, 
they were attacked by a large force of 

death of Braddock 1—12. Of * ae circumstances of Washington’s visit to the western country, 
fifteen years later I—13. Wha.did the Indian chief say to him ?—14. Give an account of the 
; third expedition undertaken m the year 1755. 



















COLONIAL HISTORY. 


89 


French and Indians. The latter, however, were defeated, 
and their commander, Baron Dieskau (De-es-ko), was mortally 
wounded and taken prisoner. 

15. During the next year, 1756, the French and Indians, 
commanded by the Marquis Montcalm, 

crossed Lake Ontario with more than five 
thousand men and thirty pieces of cannon, 
and commenced the siege of the English 
Fort Ontario, on the east side of Oswego 
River. After a short defence, the English 
abandoned this fort, and retired to another 
on the west side of the river, but after a 
few days they were obliged to 
surrender. The situation of 
these forts, at the mouth of Os¬ 
wego River, and also of another 
called Fort Oswego, since built 
there, may be learned from the 
little map above in the margin. 

16. Many other important 
events occurred during this war, 
but we have not room to give 
an account of all of them here. 

The most important, and the 
closing event of the war, was 
the capture of Quebec by the 
British General Wolfe, in the 
year 1759. The situation of 
this place may be seen by looking at the map in the margin. 

It is on the north-west side of the River St. Lawrence, on a 

15. Relate the events that occurred at Oswego in the year 1756. What is said of the situation | 
of these forts ?—16. Of other events during the war ? The closing event of the war ? Situation ' 
of Quebec ? What is the course of the St. Lawrence River at Quebec ? Where does the St. Charles 
enter it ? How is the St. Lawrence divided four miles below the city ? Where is Point Levi ? 
The village of Beauport 7 The Montmorenci RivJr? The Plains of Abraham ? 



































COLONIAL HISTORY. 


90 

lofty promontory, formed by that river and the St. Charles, j 
It was strongly fortified by the French, and was the first place 
which they settled in Canada. 

17. In the latter part of June, 1759, General Wolfe landed 
his army of about eight thousand men on the Isle of Orleans, 
a few miles down the river, below Quebec. The French 
forces, to the number of thirteen thousand men, occupied the 
city, and a strong camp between the rivers St. Charles and 
Montmorenci. 

18. General Wolfe constructed batteries at Point Levi, but 

this was soon found to be not sufficiently near the city to- bat¬ 
ter down its strong walls. He next removed most of his army 
to the north side of the River Montmorenci, where he estab- ; 
lished his camp, and soon after, on the 31st of July, made an • 
attack on the intrenchments of the French camp, but without 1 
success. ' 

19. He next conveyed his troops above the city, and on the 
night of the 12th of September landed them silently at a place 
since called Wolfe’s Cove, when, after great exertions, they 
succeeded in climbing up a lofty precipice that there lines the 
bank of the river. When morning dawned, Montcalm, the 
French commander, was astonished to learn that the English 
army was drawn up in battle array on the Plains of Abraham. 

20. Montcalm now saw that no alternative remained but to 
risk a battle, and accordingly he marched out all his forces to 
meet the enemy. The battle commenced with great resolution 
on both sides. General Wolfe, exposing himself in the fore- | 
most ranks of his army, received two wounds in quick succes- ' 
sion, and while pressing forward at the head of his grenadiers, 
with fixed bayonets, to charge the French lines, a third ball 
pierced his breast. 

, 17. What is said of the landing of Wolfe at the Isle of Orleans.'* Situation of the French , 

i forces?—18. Batteries at Point Levi? Removal to Montmorenci, and attack on the French ’ 
! camp ?—19. Of the landing of the troops above the city ?—20. Commencement of the battle, and 
I wounding of General Wolfe 1 
























COLONIAL HISTORY. 


21. Wounding of other officers ?—22. Kelate the circumstances of the death of General Wolfe 
I Of Montcalm ? ______ 


DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE. (SeO page 192.) 

22. Conveyed to the rear, and supported by a few attend¬ 
ants, while the agonies of death were upon him, he heard the 
distant cry, “ They run ! They run !” Raising his drooping 
head, the dying hero anxiously asked, “ Who run V’ Being 
informed that it was the French, “ Then,” said he, “ I die con¬ 
tented,” and immediately expired. Montcalm lived to be car¬ 
ried into the city. When informed that his wound was mortal, 
“ So much the better,” he replied, “1 shall not then live to wit¬ 
ness the surrender of Quebec.”___ 


21. Colonel Monckton, the second officer in rank, was dan¬ 
gerously wounded by his side, when the command devolved 
on General Townshend. The French general, Montcalm, like¬ 
wise fell, and his second in command was mortally wounded. 
General Wolfe died on the field of battle, but he lived long 
enough to be informed that he had gained the victory. 

























COLONIAL HISTORY. 


92 


1 

I 


23. A few days after the battle, the city surrendered, and 
the next year all Canada submitted to the English. These 
events were followed, in 1763, by a treaty of peace between 
France and England, by which France surrendered to Great 
Britain all her possessions in North America. The English 
colonies, now that the Indian tribes around them were de¬ 
prived of French assistance, looked forward to a period of 
tranquil prosperity, when they might be able “ to sit under 
their own vine and fig tree, with none to molest or make them 
afraid.” The result, however, will show, that in these hopes 
they were cruelly disappointed. 


23. Of the surrender of the city, and the peace of 1763. lyhat is said of the hopes which 
the English colonies now indulged ? The result 1 




















PART III. 

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 


1. During most of the time that the colonies were under the 
government of Great Britain, that power had oppressed them 
in various ways,—by seeking to abridge their just rights and 
crush the spirit of liberty among them, by imposing odious 
and unjust restrictions on their domestic and foreign trade, 
and finally by an attempt to tax them for her own benefit. 

2. In the year 1765, the English government declared that 
all deeds, bonds, notes, almanacs, newspapers, &Ci, should be 
executed on stamped paper brought from England, for which 
a tax should be paid to the crown: but the people destroyed 
the paper when it reached America, and used unstamped 
paper as before. They also retaliated upon Great Britain, by 
refusing to purchase the manufactures of that country. Final¬ 
ly, Great Britain, seeing she could get no money from the colo¬ 
nies in that way, repealed the stamp act. 

3. When the subject of the repeal of the stamp act was 
under consideration, Dr. Franklin, who was then in London, 
was called before Parliament, and examined respecting the 
state of affairs in America. The appearance of Franklin on 
that occasion was dignified, and he answered all the questions 
with promptness, propriety, and perfect self-possession, show¬ 
ing, throughout, his wisdom, firmness, sagacity and patriotism. 

4. He plainly told Parliament, that the Americans would 
not submit to taxation, unless compelled by force of arms, and 


Of what does Part Third treat 7—1. What is said of the oppression of the colonies by Great 
Britain 7—2. Of the stamp act; and how resisted by the people 7 How did they farther retali¬ 
ate 7 "What is said of the repeal of the stamp act 7—3. Of Franklin’s examination before Par¬ 
liament 7 His appearance on that occasion 7—4. What did he tell Parliament 7 How did the 








94 THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

'that they would adhere to their resolution of using no more 
I British manufactures until the stamp act should be repealed. I 
il The examination closed with the two following questions and 
I answers. “ What was formerly the pride of the Americans ?” 

I He answered, “ To indulge in the fashions and manufactures 
I of Great Britain.” “ What is now their pride ?” Answer ; 

I “ To wear their old clothes over again till they can make new 
ones.” 

5. Great Britain next imposed a tax on the glass, paper, 
paints, teas, &c., which the colonies used; and soon after she 
began to send troops to America to enforce her unjust laws for 
oppressing the colonies. The Americans were not so much 
opposed to paying the small taxes which England required, as 
they were opposed to the principle which England sought to 
establish. England declared she had a right to tax her colo¬ 
nies, and the latter denied this right, and were determined to 
resist taxation, and all other kinds of oppression. 

6. In the year 1773, the English merchants sent many ship¬ 
loads of tea to America, which they offered to sell very cheap, 
if the Americans would pay to the English government the 
small tax on it of only three pence per pound. But notwith¬ 
standing the cheapness of this tea, the Americans determined 
to do without tea entirely, rather than abandon the principles 
for which they were contending. 

7. When the ships laden with tea reached New York and 
Philadelphia, the people would not allow the tea to be landed, 
and the ships were obliged to carry it back to England. In 

I Charleston the tea was landed, but the citizens would not 
I allow it to be sold, and being stored in damp cellars, it finally 
1 perished. 

8. When the tea designed for Boston entered Boston bar- 

examination close 1 — 5 . Next attempt of Great Britain to tax the colonies, &c. Character of 
the opposition of the Americans 1 — 6 . Of the tea sent to America, and the determination of the 
Americans ?—7. Of the tea sent to New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston ?—8. Of that sent to 






















i THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 95 

i bor, the people held a meeting to consider what should be 
done with it. They wished to send it back to England, but 
I the king’s governor of Massachusetts dec.ared it should not 
be sent back. But the people as positively declared that it 
should not be landed. In this position of the controversy a 
party of men, disguised as Indians, went on board the ships, 
and, in the presence of thousands of spectators, broke open 
three hundred and forty-two chests of tea, and emptied their 
contents into the harbor. 

1775, 9. In this way- difficulties went on increasing until 

1775, when Great Britain sent large bodies of troops to Boston, 
j with the design of awing the Americans into submission, or, if 
necessary, of reducing them’ to obedience by force of arms, 
j General Gage commanded these troops;—the same man who, 

1 twenty years before, led the advanced column of Braddock’s 
I army in the memorable battle of the Monongahela. 

10. General Gage, learning that the Americans were pre¬ 
paring for resistance, and collecting warlike stores in the vi¬ 
cinity of Boston, early on the morning of the nineteenth of 
April sent out a force of eight hundred men to destroy the 
stores collected at Concord, sixteen miles from the city. This 

I force, on reaching Lexington, ten miles from Boston, and find¬ 
ing about seventy of the provincial militia assembled there, 
fired upon them, killing several of the number. This was the 
first blood shed in the war of the Revolution. 

11. The British troops proceeded to Concord and destroyed 
a part of the stores, but the people of the surrounding country 
assembled in numbers, and, attacking them, drove them back 
to Boston, with a loss of nearly three hundred men, while the 
American loss was less than ninety. 

12. Intelligence of these events spread rapidly through the 

I Boston ?—9. What occurred in the year 1775 1 IThat is said of General Gage ?—10. Of his 
I attempt to destroy the stores collected at Concord 7 "What occurred at Lexington ?—11. Far- 
I ther account of the expedition, and its result 7 —12. Effects produced by the intelligence of these 


L: 








96 the AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 

colonies. The battle of Lexington was the signal of war:— 
the blood of Americans had been spilled on their own soil, and 
in defence of their own homes; and from all parts of the 
country the people came thronging to the scene of action, de¬ 
termined to avenge the deaths of their countrymen, and drive 
their oppressors from the land. 

13. In a few days the British forces in Boston were sur¬ 
rounded by an army of twenty thousand men, many of them, 
however, but poorly armed. The British army, including re¬ 
enforcements lately arrived from England, and commanded 
by the distinguished Generals Gage, Howe, Clinton, and Bur- 
goyne, numbered between ten and twelve thousand men. 
From the map below may be learned the situation of Boston at 

this period, and of the Ameri¬ 
can fortifications around it. 

14. About two months 
after the battle of Lexington 
the British generals made 
preparations to leave Boston 
and march into the country. 
To prevent them from doing 
this, the Americans threw 
up fortifications across Bos¬ 
ton Neck, as seen on the 
map, and also farther back, 
towards Roxbury and Dor¬ 
chester. The British then 


events ?—13. Of the force assembled by the Americans 1 Forces of the British 1 What is said 
of the map ? W/iat three hills were at this time on the peninsula of Boston, and how situated ? ( 
What two on the peninsula of Charlestown, and how situated ? What four hills beyond thepe- • 
ninsula ? Where is Morton^s Point 1 What heights south-east of Boston city, now included in ' 
South Boston ? Island north-east of the city, novj included in East Boston ? Three islands 
south-east of Noddle^s Island ? Where is Cambridge ? On which side of Boston is Boston 
Harbor ?—14. What is said of the design of the British to leave Boston, and the efforts of the i 
Americans to prevent it ? 

»L__ ) 























THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 97 

turned their attention towards Charlestown, thinking to escape 
in that direction. 

15. In order to defeat this plan also, the American Colonel 
Prescott was ordered, on the evening of the sixteenth of June, 
to take one thousand men and form an intrenchment on Bun¬ 
ker’s Plill, for the purpose of defending the narrow peninsula 
of Charlestown. By some mistake. Colonel Prescott proceeded 
to Breed’s Hill, which, as may be seen on the map, is still 
nearer Boston. 

16. Colonel Prescott’s men labored diligently and silently 
all night, and by the dawn of day they had erected a square 
redoubt, capable of sheltering them from the fire of the enemy. 
The English were astonished at this daring advance of the 
Americans, and immediately commenced a heavy fire upon 
them from several vessels in the harbor, and from a fortifica¬ 
tion on Cop’s Hill in Boston. 

17. About noon, three thousand British troops crossed over 
to Charlestown in boats, and landing at Morton’s Point, 
marched against the American works. While they were 
advancing, the village of Charlestown was burned by the 
orders of General Gage, and by this wanton act two thousand 
people were deprived of their habitations. 

18. The Americans, having been told by their officers not 
to fire until they could take certain aim, awaited in silence the 
advance of the enemy to within ten rods of the redoubt, when 
they opened upon them so deadly a fire of musketry, that 
whole ranks were cut down, and the royal troops were driven 
back in disorder and precipitation. 

19. Being rallied by their officers, the British troops again 
reluctantly advanced, and were a second time beaten back by 
the same destructive and incessant stream of fire.' At this 


' 15. Of the orders given to Colonel Prescott, and his mistake?—16. IVhat did he accomplish, 

1 and what did the British do 1—17. What is said of the advance against the American works, and 
1 the burning of Charlestown ?—18. Of the first repulse of the British 1—19. Of the second re- 












98 the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 


critical moment, General Clinton came over from Boston with 
re-enforcements. By his exertions the troops were again ral¬ 
lied and brought a third time to the charge, and, being aided 
by the fire from the British ships in the harbor, which raked 
the interior of the American works, they were finally success¬ 
ful in reaching the summit of the hill. 


BATTLE OP bunker’s [ob breed’s] HILL. (See page 212.) 

20. By this time the ammunition of the Americans began to 
fail them, and they slowly retired from their intrenchments, 
fighting with the butt-ends of their lYiuskets. Having retreated 
across Charlestown Neck, they hastily fortified Prospect Hill, 
while the English intrenched themselves on Bunker Hill, near 
the neck of the Peninsula. 

2J. In this battle the British lost more than a thousand men, 
whiG the American loss was less than five hundred. To com¬ 
pulse ; re'enforcements, and final success of the euem}'I—2{). Of the retreat of the Americans, 
and the new positions tiiken by the two armies 7—21. Of the losses on both sides 1 Of the 




































THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 


99 


memorate this battle, a granite monument, 220 feet high, has 
been erected on the summit of the hill which was the scene of 
the action. That hill is now usually called Bunker’s Hill, and the 
monument has received the name of Bunker Hill Monument. 

22. Two days before the battle of Bunker Hill, George 
Washington had been appointed by the American Congress 
commander-in-chief of all the American forces, and in July 
he took the command of the army in the vicinity of Boston. 

Early in the following year he caused batteries to be 
erected on Dorchester Heights, and as this place com¬ 
pletely commanded Boston, the British soon evacuated the 
city, and with all their forces sailed to Halifax, in Nova Scotia. 

23. Previous to this, in the autumn of 1775, the American 
Congress had sent an army to invade Canada, which country, 
then a British province, adhered to England. The result of 
this iiiYasion was, on the whole, disastrous to the Americans. 
Montgomery, the American general, took several British posts, 
and even compelled Montreal to surrender,,but in an attack 
on Quebec, on the last day of December, Montgomery himself 
was killed, and part of his troops taken prisoners. The Ame¬ 
ricans were finally obliged to evacuate Canada, without hav¬ 
ing accomplished the object of the invasion. 

24. On the 4th of July, 1776, the American Congress, then 
in session at Philadelphia, made the ever memorable De¬ 
claration OF Independence, by which the thirteen American 
colonies declared themselves Free and Independent, under the 
name of the Thirteen United States of America. 

25. This declaration was a bold movement on the part of 
those who made it, as it was known that Great Britain would 
regard the act as treason, a crime punishable with death. 
When the members of Congress were about to sign this in¬ 


monument erected to commemorate this battle ?—22. What appointment did Washington re¬ 
ceive, &c. 7 What is said of the evacuation of Boston by the British 7—23. Give an account of 
the invasion of Canada 7—24. What occurred on the fourth of July, 1776 7—25. What is said of 


L 













100 the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

strument, John Hancock, one of theiT number, remarked, “We 
must be unanimous ; there must be no pulling different ways ; 
we must all hang together.” “ Yes,” replied Franklin, indulg¬ 
ing in a witticism on the words, “ we must, indeed, all hang 
together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” 

26. Immediately after the declaration had been signed, it 
was read aloud from the steps of the old state-house in Phila¬ 
delphia, and received with enraptured shouts and acclamations 
by a large concourse of citizens. The following interesting 
incident was connected with the first public reading of that 
noble paper.^ 

27. In the belfry of the state-house there was a bell, which 
had been brought from England many years before, and on 
which was the inscription, “ Proclaim liberty to all the people” 
Probably there was not another bell like it in all America, and 
it is a singular circumstance that this very bell was the first 
to herald forth, in tones long and loud, the declaration of our 
country’s freedom. 

28. The following anecdote is related of Thomas Jefferson, 
who wrote the Declaration of Independence. When, several 
years later, he was President of the United States, the magis¬ 
trates of one of the eastern cities requested to know from him 
what was the anniversary of his birth, as the citizens desired 
to honor a day so deservedly dear to America. Jefferson re¬ 
turned for answer, “ The only birth-day I ever celebrate is the 
Fourth of July, the birth-day of American liberty.” 

29. After the Americans had taken the decided stand of 
declaring their independence, the British government prepared 
to carry on the war with great vigor. In the latter part of 
August, 1776, a large British force, under Generals Grant, 
Heister, and Clinton, landing on Long Island, near the Nar-. 


the Declaration 1 Anecdote connected with the signing of it 1—26. Of the first reading of this 
paper 1—27. Interesting incident of the hell 1—28. Anecdote of Jefferson 1—29. Preparations of 
the English ; landing on Long Island, &c. 














THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 


101 


BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND. 




■WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 


rows, commenced their march in three 
divisions towards the American camp 
at Brooklyn. (See the map in the 
margin.) 

30. The Americans who guarded 
the passes through the hills, being 
driven back, and surrounded in the 
plain near the village of Bedford, were 
nearly ail killed or taken prisoners. 

The English then prepared to attack 
the American camp itself, but during 
a dark night Washington silently crossed 
all his army over to New York city. 

Great was the surprise of the British, on 
the following morning, to find the Ameri¬ 
can camp deserted. 

31. Washington was soon compelled to 

abandon New York city also, for fear of 
being surrounded in that position. Retreat¬ 
ing along the east side of Hudson River, he 
established his camp at White Plains, in 
Westchester county, but was there attack¬ 
ed, and driven back with some loss. Re¬ 
treating still farther, he next drew Washington. 

up his forces on the heiglits of 
North Castle, but soon abandon¬ 
ing that position, he crossed the 
Hudson, and took post in the vi¬ 
cinity of Fort Lee. 

32. There was an American 


K rOrn - , 

XLitiwo, (rtixtle. 




30. Of the battle that followed, and the retreat of the Americans 1—31. Give an account of the 
movements of Washington until he crossed to the west side of the Hudson River. White Plains 
is on the east side of what small river ? In what direction from White Plains is North Casth ? 
What river ir^he northern part of Westchester county ? In what direction from White Plains is 
Fort Lee ? Fort Washington from Fort Lee ?—32. What is said of Fort Washington; its 


8 



























































102 the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

fort, called Fort Washington, in the northern part of New , 
York Island, garrisoned by three thousand troops under the 
brave Colonel Magaw. This fort, the situation of which may 
be seen on the two preceding maps, was compelled to surren¬ 
der to the British, after a spirited defence, in which the assail¬ 
ants lost nearly a thousand men. 

33. Washington now commenced 
his retreat,down the west side of the 
Hudson, and through New Jersey, 
closely pursued by overwhelming 
forces of the enemy. This was a 
time of great gloom to the American j 
cause. Newark, New Brunswick, j 
Princeton, and Trenton, successively 
fell into the hands of the enemy, as 
they were abandoned by the retreat¬ 
ing army. On the 8th of December 
Washington crossed the Delaware, 

while the British took post on its eastern bank, waiting only 
the freezing of the stream to enable them to cross with the 
greater ease and take possession of Philadelphia. 

34. Washington, however, not being 
inclined to give the British this advan¬ 
tage, silently recrossed the Delaware 
with a part of his force on the night of 
the 2'5th of December, with the design 
of surprising a body of British troops, 
called Hessians, who were posted at | 
Trenton.. His plan completely sue- 

ceeded. Generals Washington and Greene, taking one route, • 


surrender, &c. I—33. Give an account of the retreat of Washington through New Jersey. In \ 
what direction from Neio York is Nevjrxrk, and how situated ? Where is New Bruiistvick ? 
Princeton ? Trenton ? —34. Give an account of Washington’s recross.ing tlie Delaware and sur- i 
prising the British at Trenton. What creek enters the Delaivare at Trenton ? I 



BEAT OP WAR IN NEW JERSEY. 


















































THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 103 

and General Sullivan another, the Hessians found themselves 
surrounded before they were aware of the approach of an 
enemy. One thousand Hessians were taken prisoners. 

35. The British were greatly alarmed by this sudden and 

successful movement of Washington, and a large force, com¬ 
manded by Lord Cornwallis, immediately marched against 
jY-yiy Trenton, but Washington, silently abandoning his 

camp in the night, suddenly fell upon and routed another 
body of the British posted at Princeton. This was on the 
morning of the third of January, 1777. The British, instead 
of attacking Philadelphia, as they had designed, were soon 
driven back to New Brunswick and Amboy, on the Raritan 
Rijer, and in the latter part of June they passed over to 
Staten Island, thus abandoning New Jersey. 

36. Soon after the declaration of Independence, Dr. Frank¬ 
lin had been sent to France for the purpose of soliciting the 
French government to aid the Americans in the war against 
England. The French court did not immediately engage in 
the war, yet, while Franklin was in Paris, he had numerous 
applications from foreign officers^ from nearly every country 
in Europe, who were desirous of serving in the American 
armies. He seldom gave them any encouragement, however, 
because he had no authority from Congress to do so, and he 
feared that many of them would be greatly disappointed when 
they arrived in America. 

37. One young French officer, however, who determined to 
assist the Americans, and who sailed for America in a vessel 
fitted out at his own expense, was very cordially recommended 
to Congress by Dr. Franklin. This was the Marquis de La¬ 
fayette, a young nobleman of great wealth, who was so ar¬ 
dently attached to the cause of liberty that he was willing to 

85. What is said of the alarm of the British—their movements—movements of Washington, 
&c. 1 Farther repulses of the British—their retreat, &c.1—36. AV’hat is said of Franklin, and 
the applications made to him while in Paris 1—37. What is said of Lafayette ? 










THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



i abandon all the luxuries that wealth could bestow, to resign 
the honors of the French court, and to leave a young and 
beautiful wife, and go to a distant land, that he might aid a 
poor people, oppressed by wicked rulers.—We shall hereafter 
read more about this noble and generous-hearted young man. 

38. In the latter part of July the entire British army left 
Staten Island, and embarking on board a 
British fleet, sailed south along the coast, 
and, entering Delaware Bay, passed up the 
Delaware River, with the design of approach¬ 
ing Philadelphia from that direction. Wash¬ 
ington met the enemy at a place called Chad’s 
Ford, on the Brandywine Creek, but the 
Americans were defeated. In this battle the 
Marquis de Lafayette was slightly wounded. 

39. The army of Washington now retreat¬ 
ed, first to Philadelphia, and then up the left 
bank of the Schuylkill to Norristown and 
Pottsgrove. At a place called Paoli, 
the American General Wayne was 
surprised in the night, and three 
hundred of his men were killed. A 
monument has since been erected 
on the spot. 

40. On the twenty-sixth of Sep¬ 
tember the British General Howe 
took possession of Philadelphia with¬ 
out opposition, while the main body 
of his army encamped at German¬ 
town, six miles distant. On the 
fourth of October, Washington 


PHILADELPHIA AND VICINITY. 

73WHteSftHE~ 



PLACES WEST OF 
PHILADELPHIA. 



38. The next movements of the British army, and the battle of the Brandywine I—39. Retreat 
of Washington 7 What occurred at Paoli 1 Direction of Norristown from Philadelphia^ and 
how situated 7 Where is Pottsgrove 7 Paoli 7 —40. Next movements of the British 1—Battle of 






















THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. IO5 

I made an attack on this latter post, but was repulsed with a 
; heavy loss. 

I 41. The British thought that the taking of Philadelphia was 
an important event towards finishing the war. When, how¬ 
ever, some one mentioned to Dr.. Franklin, then in Paris, that 
General Howe had taken Philadelphia, he replied, '‘You are 
I mistaken ; Philadelphia has taken General Howe.” And so it 
: proved; for the British were shut up in that city during eight 
months, and were at last obliged to leave it in great haste, 
without having derived any advantage from their conquest, 
j 42. About the time that the main body of the British army 
under General Howe sailed from New Jersey on the expedi- 
.tion against Philadelphia, another British army, under the 
; command of General Burgoyne, commenced its march against 
the United States, by the way of Canada. This was in the 
month of June, 1777. 

43. At that time an American 
force under General St. Clair oc¬ 
cupied the old French fortress of 
Ticonderoga, at the southern ex¬ 
tremity of Lake Champlain. A 
small force was also stationed 
on Mount Independence, between 
South River and East Creek. Ear¬ 
ly in July, Burgoyne reached Ti- 
1 conderoga, at the same time taking possession of and fortifying 
' Mount Defiance, a high hill across the channel, and one mile 
' distant from the fort. 

I 44. St. Clair, seeing no possibility of a long resistance, 

I silently abandoned the fort on the night of the fifth of July, 


t Germantown?—41. What more is related about the taking of Philadelphia?—42. What is said 
! of the British operations at the North ?—43. Of the American force at Ticonderoga, and the 
I arrival there of Burgoyne ? Direction of Mount Independence from the fort of Ticonderoga ? 
I Direction of Mount Defanle ? —44. What is said of the retreat of St. Clair ? 


















THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 


106 

marching with part of his force through Vermont, by way of 
Mount Independence, and sending the remainder in boats, up 
South River, or Wood Creek. 

45. Both divisions, however, were pur¬ 
sued and attacked by the enemy, but most 
of the men escaped, some by the way of 
Fort Ann, and others by a route farther east, 
through Vermont, and succeeded in reach¬ 
ing Fort Edward on the Hudson, the head¬ 
quarters of General Schuyler, then com¬ 
mander-in-chief of the northern American 
army. General Schuyler soon abandoned 
Fort Edward, and Burgoyne took posses¬ 
sion of that post on the thirtieth of July. 

46. While here, Burgoyne experienced his first reverses. 
Being in want of provisions, he sent Colonel Baum, with five 
hundred men, to seize a quantity of stores which the Ameri¬ 
cans had collected at Bennington. This force, being met by 
Colonel Stark, at the head of the New Hampshire militia, 
was entirely defeated. Colonel Baum himself was mortally 
wounded. 

47. Soon after the battle of Ben¬ 
nington, Burgoyne heard of the de¬ 
feat of another body of his troops, 
that had been sent, by way of Os¬ 
wego, to attack the American Fort 
Schuyler, on the Mohawk. (See 
map.) The British and their Indian 
allies, having invested this fortress, 
continued the siege twenty days, but 
were finally compelled to abandon it, with considerable loss. 


45. Of the final escape of most of his men 7 Retreat of Schuyler, &c. 1 Situation of Fort 
Edward, and its direction from Fort Ann ?—46. What occurred at Bennington ?—47. At Fort 
Schuyler, on the Mohawk 7 Describe the Mohawk River. (See Map, p. 158.) Where is Oswego ? 



VICINrCT OP LAKE GEORGE. 























THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 107 

48. Notwithstanding these reverses, Burgoyne continued 
' his march, and crossed to the west side of the Hudson, in pur¬ 
suit of the American army. By this time, however, the Ameri¬ 
cans had received large re-enforcements, and being now com¬ 
manded by General Gates, they faced about, and met the ene¬ 
my in the northern part of the town of Stillwater, where two 
severe battles were fought, the first on the nineteenth of Sep¬ 
tember, and the second on the seventh of October. (See be¬ 
low, the first map on the left.) 

49. The British were now com¬ 
pelled to retreat, and they fell 
back to the mouth of Fish Creek, 
in the town of Saratoga, where 
they were completely surrounded 
by the Americans, with no chance 
of escape in any direction. In this 
situation, on the seventeenth of 
October Burgoyne was reduced 
to the humiliating necessity of sur¬ 
rendering his whole army prison¬ 
ers of war. The place of sur¬ 
render, and the situation of the British and the American forces 
at the time, may be seen by examining the little map above, 
on the right. 

50. During these events, the British General Clinton had 
proceeded up the Hudson River, and attacked Forts Clinton 
and Montgomery, forty-five miles from New York, with the 
hope of inducing a part of the army of General Gates to leave 
Burgoyne, and come to their defence. But although both 
of these places, together with other American posts on the 


48. What is said of the farther route of Burgoyne ; and what occurred in the town of Still¬ 
water ? How far from the village of Stillwater were these battles fought ? —49. Give an account 
of the retreat, and final surrender of Burgoyne. What may be learned from the map above 
on the right 1 —50. During these events what had occurred farther south, on the Hudson ^ 























THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 


! 108 

FORT3 ON THK HUDSON. Hudsoii, fclI iiito the hauds of the enemy, 
General Gates paid no attention to the move¬ 
ments of Clinton, until the surrender of Bur- 
goyne was secured, when Clinton hastily 
retreated to New York. 

51. We now I'eturn to the movements of the 
two armies in the vicinity of Philadelphia. A 
short distance below that city the Americans 
had fortified Forts Mifflin and Mercer, the situ¬ 
ation of which may be leaimed by looking at 
the map below. On the 22nd of October both 
these places were attacked by the enemy. 

52. The attack on Fort Mercer, then 
garrisoned by less than five hundred men, 
was made by nearly two thousand Hes¬ 
sian grenadiers, who, after forcing an ex¬ 
tensive outwork, were finally compelled to 
retire, with a loss of nearly four hundred 
of their number. The Hessian general. 
Count Donop, was mortally wounded, and 
fell into the hands of the Americans. The attack on Fort 
Mifflin was alike unsuccessful, but in a few days both these 
places were abandoned to the enemy. 

53. Soon after these events, the troops of Washington went 
into winter-quarters at Valley Forge, on the Schuylkill, twenty 
miles north-west from Philadelphia, where they passed a rig¬ 
orous winter, suffering extreme distress from the want of suit¬ 
able supplies of food and clothing. At the same time the 
British troops were enjoying, in Philadelphia, all the conve¬ 
niences and luxuries which an opulent city afforded. 

In what direction from West Point were Forts Clinton and Montgomery, and how situated ? i 
Fort Independence ? Where is Peelsshill " ''^erplank's Point ? Stony Point ?— 51. To what do 1 
we now return 1 What is said of Forts Mifflin and Mercer 52. Of the attack on these places! | 
—53. Of the opposing forces during the following winter 1 In what direction from Norristown 1 
is Valley Forge, and how situated ? (See map, p. 104.) 

..—. ■ ■■ l | 


F0RT3 ON THE HUDSON. 



























THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 109 

177S. 54. Early in the following year, the joyful intelli¬ 

gence was received that Dr. Franklin, and the other Ameri¬ 
can commissioners at Paris, had concluded a treaty of alliance 
with France, by which that power acknowledged the inde¬ 
pendence of the United States, and took part in the war 
against England. 

55. About the same time Great Britain sent commissioners 
to America, with proposals for an amicable adjustment of diffi¬ 
culties ; but the American Congress refused to treat with them 
unless the independence of the United States should first be 
acknowledged. Defeated in their open efforts, one of the com¬ 
missioners attempted to bribe some of the influential members 
of Congress. 

56. To General Reed a direct offer was made, that, for his 
influence in persuading the Americans to accept the terms of 
Great Britain, he might have ten thousand pounds sterling, 
and the best office in the colonies in the gift of the crown. 
To this offer, that patriot replied, “ I am not worth purchasing ; 
yet, such as I am, the king of England is not rich enough to 
buy me.” 

57. Early in the year the French government sent out a 
fleet under the command of the Count D’Estaing, to aid the 
Americans; when the British army at Philadelphia, fearful of 
being shut up there by the combined forces of France and 
the United States, commenced a retreat through New Jersey, 
towards the city of New York. 

58. Washington followed with his army, and at a place 
called Monmouth Court House, the situation of which may be 
seen on the map on page 102, he attacked the enemy and 
gained some advantage over them. The day was exceedingly 
hot, and many died on both sides, from the heat and fatigue. 

64. ^Vliat is said of the alliance with France 1 —55. Of the commissioners sent to America by 
Great Britain 1—56. The anecdote of General Reed 1—57. Of the French fleet, and the retreat 
of the British from Philadelphia 1—58. Of the battle of Monmouth 1 











110 


THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 


BATTLE OF MONMOUTH. 


-/V^.^MOWMOOTM 1 


In this battle the British Colonel 
Monckton was killed, the same man 
who, nineteen years before, was 
wounded by the side of General 
Wolfe, at the siege of Quebec. 

59. The Marquis Lafayette was 
engaged in the battle of Monmouth, 
and the following incident is related concerning him:— 
Having approached the English batteries to . reconnoitre, 
his favorite aid-de-camp, struck by a ball, fell at his side. 
While his attendants fled, Lafayette, undismayed, dismounted 
and examined the wound, when finding no signs of life, he 
turned away his head with emotion, and mounting his horse, 
slowly rode off* the field. The British General Clinton, know¬ 
ing that Lafayette generally rode a white horse, suspected who 
the young officer was, and ordered his gunners not to fire. 
This noble forbearance probably saved the life of the marquis. 

60. After the battle of Monmouth, the British proceeded to 
New York. During the remainder of the season, the war was 
carried on mostly by small parties of the opposing forces, in 
different parts of the country, but no great battle was fought. 
Late in the season, however, a British force was sent against 
Savannah, the capital of Georgia, and that city fell into the 
hands of the enemy. 

1779, 61. During the year 1779, the war was carried on 

in three separate quarters:—between portions of the British 
and^the American forces in the Northern states, and others 
in the Southern states; and also between the fleets of France 
and England in the West Indies. 

62. At the North, the forces of the enemy were mostly em¬ 
ployed in ravaging the coasts and plundering the country. 

Direction of Monmouth Court House (now Freehold) from Trenton ? (See Map, p. 102.)— 
59. What incident is related of Lafayette 1—60. Farther retreat of the British 1 The war during 
the remainder of the season ? Fall of Savannah 1—61. The war during the year 1779 ?— 
62. How were the enemy employed at the North ? 
















fr ^- ■ — —. — 

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. HI 

I _ 

I The Americans, however, led by General Wayne, made a 
i desperate assault on the fortress of Stony Point, on the Hud- 
: son, which they recaptured from the enemy. 

I G3. At the South, the enemy overran Georgia and a part of 
; South Carolina. In October, the Americans, aided by the 
French, under Count D’Estaing, attempted to retake Savan¬ 
nah, but were unsuccessful. In the attack on this place. Count 
Pulaski, a celebrated Polish nobleman and patriot, who had 
espoused the cause of the Americans, was mortally wounded. 
The Polish monarch, on receiving intelligence of his death, is 
said to have exclaimed, “ Pulaski! always brave, but always 
the enemy of kings.” 

1780 . 64. During the year 1780, 

the scene of military operations was 
confined mostly to South Carolina, 
a map of which is given on the next 
page. Early in the spring, a large 
British force, commanded by Gen¬ 
eral Clinton, landed on the coast 
south-west from Charleston, and 
crossing Ashley River, began the 
siege of the city, by erecting batte¬ 
ries a short distance above it. Soon 
after. Admiral Arbuthnot sailed past Fort Moultrie, and anch¬ 
ored his fleet in Charleston harbor, within cannon-shot of 
the city. On the 12th of May, Charleston surrendered to the 
combined forces of the enemy. 

65. After the fall of Charleston, General Clinton made the 
I most active preparations for recovering the whole of South 
j Carolina, and by the first of June every American post in 

i What is said of the recapture of Stony Point ?—63. Of the operations of the enemy at the 
I South ? Attack on Savannah ? What is said of Pulaski ?—64. Military operations during the 
year 1780 1 What is said of the siege and surrender of Charleston ? W/iere is Fort Moultrie ?- 
65. Conquest of South Carolina, and return of Clinton to New York ? 


VICINITY OP CHARLESTON. 

















THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 


112 


SEAT OF WAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA. thc pi’ovince Had submittcd. 

Clinton, apprehending little far¬ 
ther opposition from the Ame- i 
ricans in that quarter, now left ! 
the province, and sailed for 
New York, intrusting to Lord 
Cornwallis the command of the 
southern British army. 

66. Cornwallis, however, 
soon found that if he wished to 
retain possession of the coun¬ 
try, he must fight for it. His 
troops, scattered throughout • 
the province in small parties, | 
were frequently attacked, and I 
sometimes defeated by bands 
of patriots under daring leaders, and in the summer a strong 
force from the North, commanded by General Gates, the hero 
of Saratoga, approached for the relief of the southern prov¬ 
inces. 

BATTLE OP SANDERS’ CREEK- 67. On the 16th of August, General Gates 
met the enemy at a place called Sanders’ 
Creek, east of the Wateree River, and be¬ 
tween Clermont and Camden, but here the 
Americans were defeated. The place where 
the battle was fought was a wooded coun¬ 
try, with only here and there a small settle¬ 
ment or plantation, as seen in the map in 
the margin. 

68. After this battle General Gates re¬ 
treated into North Carolina, and a second 


66. Situation of the British troops at the South—march of Gates, &c. ?—67. Battle of Sanders 
; Creek ? The place where the battle was fought ? In what direction from Camden 68. Be- 
j treat of Gates, &c. 








































; THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 113 

time the British troops overran the whole province, but in Oc- 
; tober their progress was arrested by an unexpected disaster. 

Cornwallis had sent Colonel Ferguson to the western frontiers 
I of North Carolina, for the purpose of encouraging the loyalists 
, in that quarter to take up arms. 

I f)9. Ferguson and his band having committed great exces- 
: ses, the people hastily took up arms against him, and attacking 
I him at a place called King's Mountain, killed Ferguson him- 
^ self, and many of his men, and took eight hundred prisoners. 
The ruin of Ferguson's detachment completely disconcerted 
the plans of Cornwallis. 

70. Few events of much importance occurred at the North 
during the year 1780, although the British continued their 
plundering expeditions against defenceless portions of the 
country. One event of some interest, however, although of 
little importance in its results, should not be passed over here. 
We allude to the treason of Arnold. 

71. This man, a general in the American army, having ob¬ 
tained the command of the fortress of West Point, on the 
Hudson, privately engaged to deliver it up to the British Gene¬ 
ral Clinton, for the sum of ten thousand pounds sterling, and a 
commission as brigadier-general in the British army. 

72. By the fortunate arrest of a Major Andre, whom Clin¬ 
ton had sent to confer with Arnold, the project was defeated. 
Andre was hung as a spy, while Arnold fled to the Br^ish 
camp, where he received the stipulated reward of his treason. 
But even the British themselves scorned the traitor, and the 
world now execrates his name and memory. 

1781 . 73. Soon after the unfortunate battle of Sanders' 

Creek, near Camden, Congress appointed General Greene to 


■\That is said of Ferguson 1—69. Of the battle of Edng’s Mountain ? Where is King's Moun- 
I tain ? On which side of the Catawba River ?—70. Events at the North during the year 17801— 
71. Give an account of Arnold’s treason.—72. How was the project defeated 1 What more is 
; said of Arnold 1—73. Events at the South soon after the battle of Sanders’ Creek 1 What is 








114 


THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 


BATTLE OF GUILFORD 
COURT HOUSE. 




the command of the southern army, in the 
place of General Gates. Soon after taking 
the command, he sent General Morgan, with 
about two thousand men, to the western ex¬ 
tremity of South Carolina, in order to hold 
in check the British forces in that quarter. 
Lord Cornwallis sent Colonel Tarleton 
against him, with directions “ to push him 
to the utmost.” Tarleton was defeated, how¬ 
ever, at a place called the Cowpens, with the 
loss of nearly his whole detachment. 

74. Soon after this, on the 15th of March, 
General Greene was attacked by Cornwal¬ 
lis, at a place called Guilford Court House, 
and after an obstinate battle was obliged to 
retreat; but the British had suffered so se¬ 
verely that they were not able to pursue him. 

75. General Greene fought two other bat¬ 
tles with the enemy, one on the 25th of 
April, at a place called Hobkirk’s Hill, and 
another in September, at a place called 
Eutaw Springs. In neither was he entirely 

successful, but so greatly did the 
British suffer that they retreated 
to Charleston and Savannah ; and 
at the close of the year these 
were the only Southern posts in 
their possession. 

76. We now return to the 
movements of Cornwallis, who, 
late in April, marched into Vir- 


said of Morgan and Tarleton? Battle of the Cowpens?—74. Of Guilford Court House?— 
75. Other battles fought by General Greene ? The result, and situation of the British at the 
close of the year ?—76 To what do we now return ? Places occupied by Cornwallis, &c. ? 








































THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 115 


ginia. About the middle of August he took post at Yorktown, 
on the south side of York River, and near its entrance into 
Chesapeake Bay, as seen on the map, preceding page. This 
place he strongly fortified, and also Gloucester Point, opposite 
which was held by a detachment under Colonel Tarleton. 


77. Of the plan and movements of Washington, and the surrender of Cornwallis ? 


StmEENDEB OF LORD COEJTWALLIS. (See p. 278.) 

77. Washington now formed the SIEGE 
plan of striking a decisive blow against 
Cornwallis ; and suddenly drawing off 
the combined French and American 
army from the vicinity of New York, 
near the last of September he estab¬ 
lished his camp before Yorktown, as" 
seen on the map in the margin, and 
commenced the siege of that place. 

On the nineteenth of October Corn¬ 
wallis surrendered his whole army 







































116 THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

prisoners of war, comprising more than seven thousand 
men! 

78. During the siege of Yorktown, the traitor Arnold, then 
a brigadier in the British service, led a plundering expedition 
against his native state, Connecticut. Landing 
at the mouth of the River Thames, he captured 
Fort Griswold and Fort Trumbull, and burned 
New London. Many of the garrison of Fort 
Griswold were massacred after they had laid 
down their arms. 

79. The fall of Cornwallis nearly closed the 
war in America, although it continued later on the ocean, and 
in Europe; for not only France, but Spain and Holland also, 
had by this time united with America in the war against 
England. 

17 § 2 . 80. The most important event in the war during 

the year 1782 was an attack by the French and Spanish forces 
on the British post of Gibraltar, in the south of Spain. This 
fortress had been captured from Spain many years before, and 
the Spaniards, after having besieged it a long time, now made 
a most desperate attempt to recover it. 

81. For this last great effort the Spaniards had assembled 
there more than a hundred thousand men: they had also provided 
fourteen hundred heavy cannon—a vast fleet of frigates, sloops, 
and schooners—eighty thousand barrels of gunpowder,—and 
they had also constructed a number of immense floating bat¬ 
teries in the Bay of Gibraltar. Yet, after all these prepara¬ 
tions, the attack, which was made on the thirteenth of Septem¬ 
ber, was unsuccessful, and Gibraltar still remained in the pos¬ 
session of England. 


78. ■What occurred in Connecticut during the siege of Yorktown 1 How is New London 
situated ? Forts Griswold and TrumbuU ? —79. Effect of the fall of Cornwallis—continuance of 
the war, &c.—80. What is said of Gibraltar 1—81. Of the vast preparations for the reooTery of 
this place 1 The result 1 














THE AMERICAN. REVOLUTION. 


117 

82. On the thirtieth of November, 1782, preliminary 

articles of peace were signed at Paris, by the British and 
American commissioners. The names of the latter were Ben¬ 
jamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens. In Septem- 
17§3 following year, 1783, the final treaty was. 

concluded, by which Great Britain acknowledged the 
entire independence of the United States, allowing to them 
ample boundaries, extending north to the great lakes, and west 
to the Mississippi. 

83. Soon after the treaty of peace,* the American army was 
disbanded, and the soldiers of the Revolution returned peace¬ 
ably to their homes, bearing with them the public thanks of 
Congress, in the name of their grateful country. 

84. The great and good Washington, after surrendering to 
Congress the commission which he had borne with so much 
honor during seven long years, retired to his residence'at 
Mount Vernon, gladly exchanging the anxious labors of the 
camp for the quiet industry of a farm, and bearing with him the 
enthusiastic love, esteem, and admiration of his countrymen. 

85. Having arrived at this period of our history, the pupil 
will do well to look at the map on the next page, that he 
may learn the situation of our country at the time when we 
became an independent nation. The white portions of . the 
map show the extent of settlements at this period, which, it 
will be observed, were far from extending over the whole 
country east of the Mississippi. 

86. With the exception of a few bright spots of civilization, 
the country west of the Alleghanies, and even along the east¬ 
ern border of those mountains, was then a wilderness, inhabited 
by rude tribes of Indians. The map on page 155 will show 
how changed, in this respect, is our country now. 

82. Give an account of the treaty of peace concluded with England.—83. ^Yhat is said of the 
disbanding of the American army 1 —84. What is said of Washington 1 —85. Of the map on the 
next page 'I Extent of settlements at this period ?—86. State of the country west of the Alle¬ 
ghanies 1 The map on page 165 ? 


9 












dilfe-tf. 


•4-/^ fy>/^ 


j^Vnnnrt. 


REFERENCES. 

1 Maine. 

2 New Hampshire 

3 Vermont. 

4 Massachusetts. 

5 Rhode Island. 

6 Connecticut. 

7 New York. 

8 New Jersey, 

9 Pennsylvania. 

10 Delaware. 

11 Maryland. 

12 Virginia. 

13 North Carolina 

14 South Carolina. 

15 Georgia. 

16 East Florida. 

17 West Florida. 




MAP OF THE COUNTRY 

EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI, 


AT THE CLOSE OF 

THE REVOLUTION. 

Tin* wiiito portions of Ihe Map show the 
oxt.oTU nt RPttlaments at this period. 































































































































































































































































SKETCHES OF THE LIVES OP WASHINGTON AND FRANKLIN.* 


1. Of the many distinguished individuals who aided in es¬ 
tablishing the independence of our country, and whose char¬ 
acters deserve more attention than we have given them in the 
preceding pages, we have room for separate sketches of the 
lives of only two, —Washington and Franklin, —names that 
will ever be cherished in grateful remembrance by every 
American citizen. 

2. For the purpose of fixing the history of the great and 
good Washington more permanently in the memory, we give, 
on the following two pages, a series of four engravings, illus¬ 
trative of different periods of his eventful life. 

3. When a mere boy, Washington was noted for his integ¬ 
rity ; illustrative of which, the following anecdote is related 
of him. His father having at one time given him a little 
hatchet, he went about hacking with it in childish sport, with¬ 
out much regard to the injury that he might do. One morning 
his father found a fine young cherry tree nearly cut down in 
the garden. No one could tell who had done it. Presently 
George came into the garden, with his hatchet in his hand, 
and his father inquired of him if he knew who had spoiled his 
beautiful cherry tree ? 

4. George was filled with grief, for he knew he had done 
wrong, but he chose to tell the truth, rather than wickedly 
conceal his fault. As the tears started in his eyes, he replied, 

* \re have thought it best for*the pupil to study this account of the lives of Washington and 
Franklin, without the aid of written questions. The teacher can easily supply such questions 
j as are necessary. 









WASHINGTON. 


120 


i 




“ Father, you know I cannot tell ' 
a lie. I cut the tree with the j 
hatchet you gave me ; but I am ! 
sorry for what I have done.” ; 
His father caught him in his 
arms, saying that he was paid a 
thousand times for the loss of 
his tree, by knowing that his 
son would not tell a lie. 

5. At the age of ten years 
George lost his father by death, 
but a kind mother remained to 
instruct him in the ways of vir¬ 
tue, and to her counsels he 
THE BOY WASHINGTON evei' attributed the formation 

of those good principles and habits which so eai'ly gained for 
him the esteem and admiration of all who knew him. He en¬ 
joyed none of the advantages of academical or collegiate in¬ 
struction, but in the common school, and from the private tu- 
wASHiNGTON THE SURVEYOR. toi’, he acc^uii'ed a good English 
education, that fitted him for bus¬ 
iness and usefulness. 

6. His fondness for mathemat¬ 
ics probably led him to choose the 
occupation of a suryeyor, and at 
the age of sixteen we find him ' 
engaged in the practice of his 
profession in the western wilds ’ 
of Virginia. It was here, while ' 
engaged by day with his compass 
and chain, “ himself his own cook, 
having no gpit but a forked stick, 
no plate but a large chip,” and 
camping in the forest by night, 





















WASHINGTON. 121 

with a bearskin for a couch, 
that his ardent soul became 
alive to the beauties of nature, 
and that he acquired that know¬ 
ledge of vacant lands which af¬ 
terwards greatly contributed to 
the increase of his private fortune. 

7. At the age of nineteen, so 
well established had become his 
reputation for courage, judg¬ 
ment, resolution, and integrity, 
that although then but a strip¬ 
ling, we find him appointed ad¬ 
jutant-general of the militia of 
Virginia, with the rank of major. Washington the general. 

Again we find him, at the unfortunate battle of the Mononga- 
hela, when every other mounted officer had fallen, and his 
own clothes were riddled with bullets, yet cool and fearless, 
rallying the fugitives, restoring confidence to the panic-struck 

soldiers, and by his efforts saving WASHINGTON THE PRESIDENT. 

the little army from total de¬ 
struction. 

I 8. And why did he, the most 
exposed of all, escape the fate 
of so many gallant men ? The 
answer is found in this;—that 
while age and wisdom were 
passed by as unworthy instru¬ 
ments to accomplish the Divine 
purposes, the superintending care 
of Providence had reserved the 
youthful Washington for impor¬ 
tant services to his country, and, 

“ so far as events can depend on 























|1 x2*3 FRANKLI^^ 

: an individual, had placed the rights and destinies of countless 
millions in the keeping of the widow’s son.” 

I 9. Such was the w^ell-known patriotism of Washington, 

I that in 1774 his native state elected him a member of the 
I first continental Congress ; and in the following year, when a | 
j resort to arms had become necessary, he w^as unanimously | 
i elected commander-in-chief of the American armies. When 
peace and independence had crowned the Revolution with | 
success, like Cincinnatus of old he laid aside the authority his j 
country had conferred upon him, and retired once more 
to the* shades of private life. But his country again needed 
his services, and the highest office in the gift of the people, 
that of President of the United States, was conferred upon 
him. 

10. He died at the age of sixty-eight, universally esteemed 
and lamented. His life had been upright and virtuous, and 
his death was that of a Christian. He has been appropriately 
styled the Father of his Country f the man “ first in war, 
first hi peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”— 
Such was the career of Washington —the hoy that would not 
tell a lie. 

11. Another man highly distinguished in the history of our 
country—a companion of Washington, and one of the early 
advocates and supporters of American independence, was 
Benjamin Franklin, whose name has been frequently men¬ 
tioned in the preceding pages of this little work. Believing 
that a farther account of his life would be interesting and use¬ 
ful, we proceed to give it here. 

12. The father of Franklin followed the business of making 
soap and candles in the city of Boston, and although his oc- 

: cupation was so humble, he was a very worthy man, and was 
i highly respected both on account of his piety, and his good un¬ 
derstanding. He delighted in often inviting to his table some 
I sensible friend or neighbor to converse with, and always took 





















FRANKLIN. 123 ]! 

care to introduce some useful topic of discourse, which might 
tend to improve the minds of his-children. 

13. “By this means,” says Benjamin Franklin, “our father 
turned our attention to what was good, just, and prudent, in 
the conduct of life; and so interested were we in the con¬ 
versation, that we were usually quite indifferent to the kind 
of food set before us.” It was probably in this way, by early 
instruction under his father’s roof, that Franklin acquired that 
habit of close thought and investigation which distinguished 
him through life, and finally rendered him so eminent as a 
statesman and philosopher. 

14. At ten years of age Franklin was taken from school, 
and placed in his father’s shop, where he was employed in 
cutting wicks for the candles, filling the moulds, and going of 
errands; but he disliked the business, as he was ambitious 
of being something more than a tallow chandler. ^He spent 
much time in reading, when he could get books, and his father 
finally concluded to bring him up to the profession of a printer. 

15. This new business gave him better opportunities for 
reading, and he never failed to improve them. He would 
often sit up nearly all night in reading a book w^hich he had 
borrowed on the promise of returning it the next morning. 
He cared very little about novels, but, when quite young, was 
particularly fond of Travels, Voyages, and Histories, and af¬ 
terwards of all kinds of useful reading. The first book that 
he purchased was Bunyan’s Pilgrim's Progress^ and this was 
always a favorite with him. 

16. After having been engaged several years as a printer’s 
boy, in the office of his brother in Boston, wffio did not always 
treat him kindly, at the age of seventeen he left him, and 
went to New York, and thence to Philadelphia, seeking em- 
nloyment. When he arrived in Philadelphia, which was on a 
Sunday morning, he had only a dollar in his pocket; and 

i being very hungry, he went to a baker’s and purchased three 








124 


FRANKLIN. 



rolls of bread, and having no 
room for them in his pockets he 
put one under each arm, and thus 
walked off, taking the other roll 
in his hand, and eating as he 
went along. 


17. While he was going up ( 
Market-street, a young lady^ 
standing in the door of a house, 
observed him, and remarked that 
he made an awkward, and some¬ 
what ridiculous appearance.— 
This same young lady afterwards 
became the wife of Franklin. 

18. During many years Frank¬ 
lin followed the business of a printer, and eventually, by great 
industry and economy, accumulated a handsome property. 
But the claims of business did not extinguish his taste for lit¬ 
erature and science. At Philadelphia he founded the first sub¬ 
scription library, and established 
the first fire company in Amer¬ 
ica. He also invented the 
“ Pennsylvania Fire-place,” since 
called the Franklin Stove ; but 
that which has done the most to 
immortalize his name, was the 
discovery that lightning and elec¬ 
tricity are the same substance,— 
a discovery which led to the con¬ 
struction of lightning-rods, for 
the security of buildings from 


FEANKLIN THE PRINTER’S BOT. 


FRANKLIN IN PHILADELPHIA. 



19. He made this great dis¬ 
covery by the aid of a kite which 


H 





























FRANKLIN. 


I 

I 


125 


he raised during a thunder storm. 
The electric fluid, or lightning, 
passing down the string to a key 
attached to the end of it, exhib- 


city. Lightning-rods gradually 
conduct this electricity down to 
the earth, and thus prevent those 
explosions which set buildings on 
fire. 

20. The zeal of Franklin in 
the cause of American liberty, 
together with the integrity of his 
character, and his great amount of general knowledge, in¬ 
duced the American people to confer upon him many highly 
important offices. Soon after the declaration of independence 
he was sent, at the age of seventy, as an ambassador to France, 
where he resided during the 
remainder of the Revolution, 
greatly aiding, by his services, 
the cause of liis country. 

21. The intelligence of Frank¬ 
lin’s arrival in Paris was rapidly 
circulated throughout Europe, 
where his fame as a philosopher 
and patriot had long before pre¬ 
ceded him. A French historian 
says that “ people of all ranks 
crowded to see this venerable 
old man, almost imagining that 
they saw in him one of the 
sages of antiquity, who had 


FRANKLIN THE AMBASSADOR. 



ited a spark ; thus showing that 
lightning in the clouds is nothing 
but large collections of electri- 





j 




















i[726 franklin. i 

I i ______— - - ; 

' come back to give them lessons in virtue, and place before ‘ 
them noble examples for their imitation. 

22. All were struck with his native dignity ; his virtues 
were praised by all, and his portraits were everywhere to be 
seen. On the portraits was the sublime inscription in Latin, 
in allusion to his great discovery in philosophy, and his zeal 
in the cause of American liberty, “ He snatched lightning from 
heaven, and the sceptre from the hands of tyrants.”* 

23. Soon after the conclusion of the treaty of alliance with 1 
France, early in 1778, Franklin was introduced to the king at 
Versailles. A French writer says of him at this period, “ His 
age, his venerable aspect, the simplicity of his dress, every¬ 
thing fortunate and remarkable in the life of this American, 
contributed to excite public attention.” On all public occa¬ 
sions Franklin appeared in the dress of an American farmer. 
His straight mipowdered hair, his brown cloth coat, formed a 
singular contrast with the laced and embroidered coats, and 
powdered and perfumed heads of the courtiers of Versailles. 

24. In concluding our sketch of the life of Franklin, we 
will go back to his early days, and see what were the princi¬ 
ples and rules of conduct that led to the worthy distinction 
which he attained. 

25. While yet quite a young man, he thought much upon 
the subject of morality, and resolved that he would lead a vir¬ 
tuous life, and in order the better to enable him to do what 
was right at all times, he wrote down certain Rules of Con¬ 
duct, which, he says, were of great service to him. He ar¬ 
ranged these rules under thirteen heads, which he called the 
Thirteen Virtues. We will give the names of these Virtues, 
and the Rules of Conduct also, in the hope that they will be 
of service to those who shall read them. 


* ‘■‘■Eripuit a cczlo fulmen, sceptrumque tyrannis —first applied to Franklin by Turgot. 


.] 













FRANKLIN. 127 


1. TEMPERANCE . . Neither eat nor drink to excess. He who eats too 

much is a glutton. 

2. SILENCE.Avoid trifling and foolish conversation. Neither talk 

too much nor he always silent. 

3. ORDER .Let not your things be in disorder, but keep all in 

their proper places. So far as you can, set apart a 
particular time for each kind of business. 

4. RESOLUTION . . . Resolve to do what is right. Be sure that what you 

resolve is right, and then never fail of doing what 
you resolve. 

5. FRUGALITY .... Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself. 

That is, waste nothing. 

6. INDUSTRY.Lose no time. A waste of time is a waste of life. 

7. SINCERITY.Use no hurtful deceit—think innocently and justly. 

Alwagy'S speak the truth. 

8. JUSTICE.Wrong none,—neither by doing injuries, nor by omit¬ 

ting what it is your duty to do. It is sometimes 
one’s duly to do another a favor. 

9. MODERATION . . . Avoid extremes,so as not to be thought odd either in 

your thoughts, words, or actions. Do not resent an 
injury as much as you think it deserves. 

10. NEATNESS.Be neat and clean in your person, in your clothes, 

and in your dwelling. 

11. TRANGIUILLITY . Be not fretful nor disturbed by trifles. Be not con¬ 

fused nor alarmed by accidents that are common or 
unavoidable. 

12. PURITY.Be pure and innocent in all your thoughts, words, 

and actions. Avoid the vulgar and the profane. 

13. HUMILITY.Be not proud and arrogant, but treat all with kind¬ 

ness. Imitate the humility of the Saviour. 


2G. It was to the observance of these precepts, said Dr. 
Franklin in his old age, that he owed the constant felicity of a 
long life. To Temperance, he ascribed his long-continued 
health, and a good constitution: to Industry and Frugality he 
> ascribed his comfortable circumstances in early life, and the 
I eventual acquisition of a handsome fortune, together with the 
j knowledge that made him a respected and useful citizen : and 
i to Sincerity and Justice he attributed the confidence which 
j his country showed him, and the honorable employments 
i which it conferred upon him. Franklin died in the year 1790, 
j at the advanced age of eighty-four years. 



















f'^ 


PART IV. 

THE UNITED STATES. • 

FROM THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION TO THE YEAR 1847. 


I 


I 


1. Washington’s Administration.— 1. Soon after the close 
of the Revolution, the people, finding the form of government 
under which they had acted during that struggle, unsuited to 
their condition, adopted the Constitution or form of govern¬ 
ment under which we now live. George Washington being! 
called from his retirement, and elected first President of the 
United States, entered on the duties of his office on the 30th 
of April 1789. 

2. During the early part of Washington’s administration, 
the attention of Congress was occupied principally in organ¬ 
izing the various departments of government. In 1790 an 
Indian, war broke out on the north-western frontier, north of 
the Ohio River. General Harmar, who was sent against the 
Indians, after having ravaged much of their country, was him¬ 
self defeated by them. The next year 
General St. Clair was sent into the 
Indian country, but being surprised in 
camp, he also was defeated. 

3. During the same year, 1791, 
Vermont became a state, and was ad¬ 
mitted into the Union,—thus making 
the fourteenth state of the confed¬ 
eracy. The first settlement in Ver¬ 
mont was made at Fort Dummer, | 

Of what does Part Third treat ?—I. The first section 1—1. What change in the form of gov- | 
ernment was made soon after the Revolution 1 AVhat is said of the first president 1—2. Early ; 
events of AYashington’s administration 1 AYestem Indian warl—3. AYhat is said of A’’ermont 1 























THE UNITED STATES. 


129 

now Brattleboro’. A fort was erected there in 1723, and a 
settlement commenced in the following year. 

I 4. In 1792 Kentucky became a 
state,—the first that was formed west 
of the Alleghanies. The first settle¬ 
ment in Kentucky was made by Daniel 
Boone and others in the year 1775, 
about the time of the commencement 
of the war of the Revolution. The 
early settlers suffered severely from 
Indian depredations. 

5. After the defeat of St. Clair in 
1791, General Wayne was appointed to carry on the war at 
the west. In 1793 he built a fort which he named Fort Re¬ 
covery, near the spot on which St. Clair had been defeated. 
In the following year he fought a great battle with the Indians 
near the rapids of the Maumee, and completely routed them, and 
laid waste their country. The next year 
the Indians consented to a treaty, and 
peace was established with them. 

G. Other important treaties made 
during Washington’s administration, 
were, one with England in 1794, called 
“ Jay’s treatyone with Spain in 
1795, and one with Algiers in the 
same year. In the year 179G Ten¬ 
nessee was admitted into the Union 

Hoto is Vermont hounded ? (See Map p. 167.) Its capital^ ^nd hoio situated 7 What river on the 
east? Lake on the west 7 What rivers enter this lake from Vermont 7 (Onion, Otter Creek, 
and La Moile.) What mountains in Vermont 7 —4. What is said of Kentucky 1 Hoto is Ken¬ 
tucky hounded 7 (See Map p. 160.) Its capital^ and how situated 7 What river on the north 7 
Large river, on the western boundary 7 Most important river that enters the Ohio in this state 7— 
5. Continuance and final termination of the Indian war I—6. Treaties made during Washing¬ 
ton’s administration? What is said of Tennessee? How is Tennessee hounded 7 (See Map 
p. 160.) Its capital, and how situated 7 The two largest rivers in this state, and where do they 
empty 7 














THE UNITED STATES. 


130 


as a state,—being the third state that was formed during 
Washington’s administration. 

II. Adams’s Administration. —1. John Adams, who had 
been Vice-president of the United States during Washington’s 
administration, succeeded to the office of President on the 
fourth of March, 1797. He had been an ardent supporter of 
the rights of the colonies against the aggressions of England, 
and it was at his suggestion that Washington was nominated 
commander-in-chief of the American armies. 

2. Jefferson said of Mr. Adams, “ He was the great pillar 
of support to the declaration of independence, and its ablest 
advocate and champion on the floor of Congress.’’ He was 
associated with Franklin, Jay, and Laurens, in negotiating the 
treaty of peace with England. The interests and the honor 
of his country were ever dear to him, and it was he who ut¬ 
tered the sentiment, worthy of perpetual remembrance, “ The 
Union is our rock of safety, as well as our pledge of grandeur.” 

3. During the administration of Mr. Adams, the country 
came near being involved in a war with France ; but fortu¬ 
nately the difficulties between the two nations were Anally 
settled by treaty. During this administration, in December 

1799, occurred the death of Washington. On 
this occasion the members of Congress put 
on mourning ; the people of the United States 
wore crape on the leit arm for thirty days; 
and in every part of the republic funeral ora¬ 
tions were delivered to commemorate the vir¬ 
tues of the ‘‘ Father of his Country. 

4. In the year 1790, a tract of country ten 


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 



! 

I 

i 

( 


II. Of \\iiat docs the second section treat?—1. What is said of John Adams,—his previous life, 
&c.—2. What did Jefferson say of him 1 What more is related of him ?—3. AVhat is said of dif- 
ficultie.-: with France ? Of the death of Wa.shingtoii ?—4. Oftheseatof Government? IIov) is 
Washington City situated! (See Map in the margin, and also Map page 168 ) Where is George¬ 
town ? Alexandria ? 


i 

) 

I 

i 





















THE UNITED STATES. 


131 I 

miles square, on both sides of the Potomac River, had been ' 
ceded to the United States by Virginia and Maryland, for 
the purpose of becoming the seat of government of the Union. 
Within this district a city was laid out, which was named 
Washington, and to this place the seat of government was 
removed from Philadelphia, in the year 1800. No new stf\te 
was admitted into the Union during the administration of Mr. 
Adams. 

III. Jefferson’s Administration. —1. Thomas Jefferson, 
who had been secretary of state under Washington, and 
Vice-president during the administration of Mr. Adams, suc¬ 
ceeded the latter in the office of President on the fourth of 
March, 1801. It was Jefferson who‘wrote the celebrated 
Declaration of Independence. To . him we are indebted for 
the present convenient denominations of Federal money, such 
as cents, dimes, dollars, &c., in place of the old English sys¬ 
tem of pounds, shillings, and pence. 

2. The public speeches of Jefferson were sound, but not 
eloquent; in Congress he spoke but seldom, and always 
briefly. He himself says of Washington and Franklin, “ I 
never heard either of them speak ten minutes at a time, nor to 
any but the main point which was to 
decide the question.” He severely 
censured the long speeches made in 
Congress, and in alluding to them, he 
says, “ How can it be otherwise in a 
body to which the people send one 
hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade 
it is to question everything, yield no¬ 
thing, and talk by the hour.” 

S. In the year 1802, Ohio, which 

III. Of what does the Third Section treat 7—1. MTiat is said of Jefferson 7 For what are we | 
indebted to him, &c. 7—2. Of Jefferson’s speeches 7 His remarks about the long speeches j 
made in Congress, &c. 7—3. What is said of Ohio—its first settlement, &c. 7 How is Ohio | 



















J32 


THK UNITED STATES. 


had previously formed part of the “ North Western Terru 
tory,” became a state. The first settlement in Ohio was com¬ 
menced at Marietta, on the seventh of April, 1788. by a com¬ 
pany of forty-seven individuals. Marietta received its name 
in honor of Marie Antoinette^ the beautiful and unfortunate 
queen of France. 

4. Previous to the year 1803, the territory of the United 
States extended west only to the Mississippi River,—all the 
region beyond, then called Louisiana, being owned by Spain. 
This latter power, however, ceded the country to France in 
the year 1800, and in the year 1803 the United States pur¬ 
chased it from France, for fifteen millions of dollars. Thus 
the territory of the JJnited States was extended west to the 
Pacific ocean. 

5. During several years of Mr. Jefferson’s administration a 
war was carried on by the United States against Tripoli, one 
of the piratical Barbary powers in the north of Africa. At 
the same time, difficulties between England and the United 
States, that had commenced soon after the close of the Rev¬ 
olution, continued to increase, with but little prospect of a 
friendly settlement, and during the next administration, as will 
be seen, they involved the two countries in another war. 

IV. Madison’s Administration.— 1. On the fourth of 
March, 1809, Mr. Jefferson was succeeded in the office of 
President by James Madison. In the year 1811 that portion 
of Louisiana, which had been called the “ Territory of Or¬ 
leans,” since its purchase by the United States, adopted a 
state constitution, and in the following year was admitted into 


bounded ? (See Mapp. 159T60.) Its capital, and how situated 1 Its largest city, and how situated ? 
Principal town on Lake Erie 1 What river enters the head of Lake Erie ? (Maumee R.) IMiat 
one enters the Ohio R. ? (The Sciota)— i. What is said of the territory of the United States, and 
of the purchase of Louisiana I— 5. Of the war against Tripoli 1 DhTicultics hotwe. k Mn^lau 
and the United States I—IV. Of what does the Fourth Section treat ?—1. When did Madison be- 



















THE UNITED STATES. 


133 





the Union as a state, bearing the 
name of Louisiana. During this 
year the first steamboat seen on the 
Mississippi made its appearance at 
New Orleans, creating there a great 
sensation. At the present time, how¬ 
ever, more than a thousand steam¬ 
boats are continually passing on the 
Mississippi and its tributary streams. 

2. At the time of the accession of _ 

Mr. Madison to the presidency, the difficulties with England 
were the all-absorbing topic in the Congress of the United 
States, and among the people. During many years, Eng¬ 
land, while engaged in a war with France, had been in the 
habit of plundering our commerce on the ocean, under the 
pretence that we were aiding her enemy. 

3. She had also forcibly taken seamen from our vessels, 
and compelled them to serve in her navy, under the pretence 
that they were natives of England, and were therefore still 
British subjects. But under this avowed right, not only na¬ 
tives of England, but American born citizens also, were taken 
away, and condemned to a lot little better than slavery. 

4. After many years of suffering and remonstrance, the 
United States finally declared war against Great Britain, in 
the month of June, 1812. The declaration of war, however, 
although sustained by a large majority of the people of the 
Union, was not unanimous, for many of the citizens of the 
New England states, and especially such as belonged to what 
was called the Federal party, opposed the war, believing it to 
be unnecessary. 

come President, &c. 1 What is said of Louisiana ? Of steamboats on the Mississippi 7 How 
is Louisiana bounded ? (See Map p. 159.) Its capital^ and how situated ? (See also small Map 
p. 140.) What river on the most eastern boundary of the State? On its western boundary ? 
What large river enters the Mississippi from the north-west .=*—2. What is said of difficulties with 
England 1—3. Of the impressment of American seamen 1—4. Of the declaration of war, &c. 1 


10 


4 

























134 the united states. 

5. During the year 1811, the western Indians, incited, as 
was supposed, by British agents, had become hostile ; and 
General Harrison, at the head of*a large force, had been sent 
against them. The Indians, led by the celebrated chief Te- 
cumseh, while pretending that they were ready to make 
peace with him, treacherously attacked him early on the 
morning of the seventh of November, but they were finally 
repulsed, after having a large number of their warriors slain. 
This is what is called the Battle of Tippecanoe. 

G. The great chief Tecumseh had been engaged for several 
years in stirring up the Indians to war. The following cir¬ 
cumstance, characteristic of his haughty spirit., is related of 
him. At one time, before the war, when General Harrison 
was holding a council with the Indians, Tecumseh, after ma¬ 
king a speech, was about to sit down, when it was observed 
that no chair had been placed for him. One was immediately 
ordered by Harrison, and as the interpreter handed it to Te¬ 
cumseh, he said, “ Your father requests you to take a chair.” 
“A/?/ father r said Tecumseh, with great indignity of exp]-es- 
sion ; “ The sun is my father, and the earth is my mother, and 
on her bosom I will repose and wrapping his mantle around 
him, he seated himself, in the usual In¬ 
dian manner, upon the ground. 

7. In the year 1812, soon after the 
declaration of war, General Hull, who 
had the command of the western fron¬ 
tier, crossed the Detroit River, and 
marched into Canada ; but as the British 
and Indians began to concentrate around 
him, he marched back to Detroit, on the 
American side. 


5. Of difficulties with the western Indians,—and the battle of Tippecanoe 1—G. VTiat is said of 
Tecumseh, and what interesting circumstance is related of him 1—7. IV’hat is said of the moTe- 
ments of General Hull 1 


Ticixrry of Detroit. 


















THE UNITED STATES. I35 

8. Here, on the sixteenth of August, he basely surrendered to 
the British General Brock his whole army, together with De¬ 
troit, and all other posts in Michigan Territory. For his con¬ 
duct in this affair General Hull was afterwards tried by a 
court-martial, and being convicted of cowardice, was sen¬ 
tenced to death ; but he was pardoned by the President, al¬ 
though his name was ordered to be struck from the rolls of 
the army. 

9. Tecumseh and his Indians were with the British at the 
time of the surrender of Detroit. Before General Brock 
crossed the river to the American side, he inquired of Te¬ 
cumseh what kind of a country he should be obliged to pass 
through if he proceeded farther. Upon this, Tecumseh took 
a strip of elm bark, stretched it upon the ground, and placed 
a stone upon each corner. Then with the point of his scalp¬ 
ing-knife he marked out an accurate plan of the country, with 
its hills, rivers, roads, and' marshes. 

10. Pleased with this unexpected ingenuity and knowledge 
in Tecumseh, General Brock publicly took off his sash and 
placed it around the body of the chief. Tecumseh was 
highly pleased with the gift, but the next day was seen with¬ 
out it. On inquiry it was found that he had given the sash to 
the Wyandot chief Round Head, assigning as a reason, that 
he was unwilling to wear it when an older, and, as he said, 
abler warrior than himself, was present. Tecumseh had suf¬ 
ficient policy not to excite the jealousy of another chief, whose 
services he desired in the war. 

11. During the summer of 1812, an American force had 


8. Of hi.s surrender—and subsequent trial 1 Hoio is Detroit situated ? (See Map in the 
margin in preceding page, and also Map p. 160.) Wiat villages on the Canadian side oj^^etroit 
River ? On the American side ? —9. What is here related of Tecumseh, in connection with 
General Brock 1 —10. How did Brock reward him,—and what other incident is connected with 
the circumstance 7—11. Events on the Niagara frontier, during the year 1812 7 The war on tno 










THE UNITED STATES. 


13G 

i - 


assembled on the Niagara frontier, and in j 
October a detachment crossed the river j 
and attacked the British on Queenston ! 
heights. Here the British General Brock 
was killed, but the Americans were finally 
defeated, and many of them taken pris¬ 
oners. On the ocean the Americans gained 
several important victories during the year 
1812, but thus far, on the land, the events of 
the war had generally been unfavorable to them. 

1 § 13 . 12. After the surrender of General Hull, the com¬ 
mand of the western frontier had been given to General Har¬ 
rison, who, early in the year 1813, began to assemble his 
forces near the head of Lake Erie, for the recovery of De¬ 
troit, and an invasion of Canada. While General Winchester 
was marching to unite his forces with those of Harrison, he 
was attacked at Frenchtown, by the British and Indians under 
General Proctor, and he himself and nearly his entire force 
were taken prisoners. 

13. The celebrated chief Round Head captured General 
Winchester with his own hands. He compelled him to take 
off his coat and all his uniform, and after putting them on his 
own person, conducted his prisoner to a fire. In this con¬ 
dition, nearly naked, and shivering with cold. General Proctor 
found him, but it was not without much persuasion that the 
chief relinquished his captive, and with still more reluctance 
that he gave up the uniform in which he had been allowed so 
short a time to strut about, and show himself to his country¬ 
men. 


ocean, &c."? Wliat lakes does the Niagara River connect^ and in what direction does it flow ? j 
Where are Lewiston and Qiieenstonl Fort Niagara and Fort George 1 Clnpj)eway7 Buf- j 
falo and Black Rock ? Fort Erie ? —12. Events at the West in the early part of the year i 
1813 1 Defeat of General Winchester ? Wiere is Frenchtown ? (See Map p. 134.)—13. What i 
is related about General Winchester, and the chief Round Head ? 1 


NIAGARA FRONTIER. 


/V f 





















THE UNITED STATES. 


137 j 

14. During the summer, the American forces had various ■ 
encounters with the British and Indians, in most of which the i 
latter were defeated. In September a naval battle was fought I 
on Lake Erie, in which the American squadron, commanded ■ 
by Commodore Perry, captured every vessel of the enemy. 
Intelligence of this victory was conveyed to Harrison in the 
following laconic epistle : “We have met the enemy, and they 
are ours.” 


15. Soon after this, Harrison pursued the British and 
Indians into Canada, and having overtaken them about eighty 
miles from Detroit, he there attacked them, and destroyed 
nearly their whole force. Tecumseh himself, the master¬ 
spirit of the great Indian confederacy, was found among the 
slain. 

16. Before this time, the southern Creek 
Indians, residing mostly in Alabama, had 
been induced by Tecumseh to engage in 
the war. Late in August they surprised 
Fort Mims, and massacred nearly three 
hundred persons,—men, women and chil¬ 
dren. General Jackson, being sent against 
them, defeated them in several battles— 
at Tallushatchee, Talladega, Autossee, 

Emucfau, and finally at Tohopeka, and 
compelled them to sue for peace. 

17. At the north, a body of troops from Sacketfs Harbor 
crossed Lake Ontario late in April, and captured York, now 
Toronto, the capital of Upper Canada. General Pike, who led 
the troops to the assault, was killed by the explosion of the 


SEAT OF THE CREEK WAR. 



14. Events during the summer ? Battle of Lake Erie ?—15. Pursuit and defeat of the British 
by General Harrison ?—16. What is said of the Creek Indians, and their defeat by General j 
Jackson ? Where was Fort Mims, and in what direction from Mobile ? Between vjhat rivers \ 
were the Indian towns of Tallashutchee and Talladega ? On what river were Autossee, Em- j 
ucfau, and Tohopeka .’—17. Capture of York, and attack cn Sacketfs Harbor ? ' 




















THE UNITED STATES. 


138 

enemy’s magazine. About a month later the enemy made an 
attack on Sackett’s Harbor, but before they had done much 
damage, they were repulsed by the American militia under 
Colonel Brown. 

18. During the battle, Captain Gray, a valuable British offi- 
i cer, was shot by a small boy, who seized a musket and fired 

at him as he was advancing at the head of a column to storm 
one of the barracks. This boy, who was an American, had 
once been a servant in the captain’s family in Canada ; but 
when the war broke out he returned home, and joined the 
army as a drummer. He now approached his former master 
in his last agonies, and struck with remorse, owned that he had 
shot him. Captain Gray, with a nobleness of soul, took out 
his watch and presented it to him, and with his dying lips gen¬ 
erously forgave him. Although the boy was fighting in de¬ 
fence of his country, and of the village in which he was born, 
yet it is natural that our feelings should be moved with pity 
and regret at the occurrence of such an incident. 

19. During the year 1813, the ocean was the scene of many 
sanguinary conflicts between separate armed vessels of Eng¬ 
land and the United States, the results of which were various, 
but neither at sea nor on land was the American flag dis¬ 
honored by cowardice, or cruelty to the vanquished. On 
the other hand, the British character was often sullied by 
scenes of rapine, and gross outrage upon unprotected cit¬ 
izens. 

1 S 14 . 20. Early in July, 1814, about three thousand 

Americans, commanded by Generals Scott, Ripley, and 
Brown, crossed the Niagara River near Buffalo, and took pos¬ 
session of Fort Erie without opposition. Thence proceeding 


18. Relate the circumstances connected with the death of Captain Gray.—19. Wliat is said of 
naval battles during the year 1813 ? Of the British character, &c.—20. Of the invasion of 
Canada in 1814, and the battle of Chippeway. 










THE UNITED STATES. 


139 


VIO. OF NIAGARA FALLS. 



north along the river as far as Chippeway, they were there 
met by the enemy on the fifth of the month, bat after a se¬ 
vere battle the latter were driven from the 
field. 

21. On the evening of the twenty-fifth 
of the same month the opposing forces 
again met, near the Falls of Niagara, at a 
place denoted as Lundy’s Lane on the ac¬ 
companying map, and here was fought the 
most obstinate battle that occurred during 
the war. The enemy were finally com¬ 
pelled to withdraw, but the losses on both 
sides were nearly equal. The killed and 
wounded on each side were more than 
eight hundred. 

22. Early in September, fourteen thousand of the enemy, 
commanded by General Prevost, advanced from Canada, 
against Plattsburg, on the western shore of Lake Champlain. 
On the eleventh of the month they attacked the American 
force there, but were defeated with a loss of more than two 
thousand men. At the same time the British fleet on the lake 
attacked the American flotilla lying in the harbor, but here 
also the enemy were defeated, and most of their vessels cap¬ 
tured. 

23. During this season the enemy also invaded the States by 
the way of the Atlantic coast. Tn August they succeeded in 
reaching Washington, where they burned the capitol. Pres¬ 
ident’s house, and many othe4' buildings. They next pro- 


21 . Of the battle of Lundy’s Lane, or Bridgewater 1 W7iat village is on the American side 
of the Falls 7 What village nearly souths on the Canada side 7 Largest island mar the Falls 7 
Two larger islands farther up the stream 7 (See Map, p. 160.) 22. Give an account of the ad¬ 
vance c f General Prevost, and the battle of Plattsburg 1 The battle on the lake 1—23. Events 
on the Atlantic coast? Into what does the Patapsco River empty 7 (Chesapeake Bay.) 

















THE UNITED STATES. 


ceeded up the Chesapeake, and land¬ 
ing at North Point, as seen on the ac- [ 
companying map, marched against j 
Baltimore ; but they were met and j 
repulsed—their commander, General 
Ross, being killed. 

24. The war was carried on at the i 
South also during this season. Flor¬ 
ida was at this time in the possession of Spain, and the Span¬ 
ish authorities there, being favorable to Great Britain, allowed 
British vessels to be fitted out in the harbor of Pensacola, for 
PKBAOOLA ATO TiciMTT. cxpeditions against the United States. Gen- 
eral Jackson, then commanding at the 
south, marched against Pensacola, stormed 
the place, and compelled the British to evac¬ 
uate Florida. 

25. General Jackson then proceeded to 
the city of New Orleans, which he found 
in a state of confusion and alarm, as infor¬ 
mation had been received there that a large 
British force was preparing for an attack on that place. By 
his exertions, however, order and confidence were restored, 
the militia were organized, and fortifications were erected 

four or five miles below the city. 

26. On the twenty-eighth of Decem¬ 
ber, and also on the first of January, 
1815, these fortifications were cannon¬ 
aded by the enemy. On the morning 
of the eighth of January, General Pack- 
enham, the commander-in-chief of -the 


Where is North Point ? How is Baltimore situated ? What Fort near the city ? 24. Events of I 
the war at the South,—capture of Pensacola, &c. 1 How is Pensacola situated 1 (See Map, 
p. 159 ; and map in the margin.)—25. Confusion at New Orleans,—exertions of General Jackson, 
&c. 7—26. Of the several attacks on the American fortifications ? direction of the battle-ground 


VICINIfT OF NEW ORLEANS. 

\Gi^rinare2'.\ ^ new/"^ 
lr?u' ' 

Miles __ 

f^Wbodville. 




































THE UNITED STATES. 


141 

British forces, advanced against the American works with 
the main body of his army, numbering more than twelve 
thousand men. 

27. There were only six thousand Americans to contend 
against this army, but they were posted behind bales of cot¬ 
ton which no balls could penetrate, and moreover, they were 
the best marksmen in the land, and terrible was the slaugh¬ 
ter which they made among the enemy, as the latter came 
within reach of their rifles. After-a short, but desperate 
struggle, the enemy fled, leaving seven hundred dead, and 
more than a thousand wounded, on the field of battle. 
The loss of the Americans was only seven killed and six 
wounded. 

28. This was the last important battle that occurred during 
the war. Even before it was fought a treaty of peace had 
been concluded between Great Britain and the United States, 
although intelligence of it had not yet reached America. The 
tidings of peace were received with great joy by the peo¬ 
ple, for they were anxious to be relieved from the numer¬ 
ous evils which war always occasions.—Happy will be that 
period, if it ever shall arrive, when the principles of Peace 
shall universally prevail, and nations shall learn war no 
more. 

29. During the last year of the war with England, Algiers, 
one of the Barbary powers, thinking the opportunity a favor¬ 
able one, commenced a piratical warfare against all American 
vessels that fell in the way of her cruisers. In 1815, however, 
an American squadron, commanded by Commodore Decatur, 
proceeded to the Mediterranean, and soon compelled the Dey, 
or governor of Algiers, to assent to such a treaty of peace as 


from New Orleans ? How is New Orleans situated ? —27. Give an account of the battle of the 
i eighth of January ?—28. What is said of the treaty of peace ? With what feelings were the ti¬ 
dings of peace received 1 Remarks on this subject 7—29. Give an account of the war with Al- 







I 


142 


THE UNITED STATES. 



was dictated to him.—Tn 1816, the 
last year of Madison’s administration, 
Indiana became a state, and was ad¬ 
mitted into the Union. 

V. Monroe’s Administration.— 
1. On the fourth of March, 1817, 
James Monroe succeeded Mr. Mad¬ 
ison in the office of President of the 
United vStates. The same year Mis¬ 
sissippi became a state, and was admitted into the Union. 
The first settlement in the state was made at Natchez, by the 
French, in the year 1710. In the year 1818, Illinois, which 



had previously been called Illinois Territory, became a state. 

2. In the latter part of the year 1817, the Seminole Indians 
of Florida, aided by a few of the Creeks, commenced depre¬ 
dations -on. the frontiers of Georgia and Alabama. General 


gicrs ? MTiat is said of Indiana ? How is Indiana bounded ? See Slap, p. 160.) Its cap¬ 
ital^ and how situated ? What lake toxiches the north-western corner of the state ? What river 
for ms part of the western boundary ? —V. Of what does the Tifch Section treat 1—1. IVTien did 
Monroe become President, &c. 1 What is said of Mississippi and Illinois'? IIoiv is Missis¬ 
sippi bounded ? (See Map p. 159.) Its capital^ and how situated 7 What large river on the 
west? Where is Natchez? Hoio is Illinois bounded ? See Map, p. 160.) Its capital, and 
how situated ? Principal river in the state? Where is Chicago 7 —2. Give an account of the 



















THE UNITED STATES. 


143 


Jackson was sent into the Indian territory, which he overran 
without opposition. He also entered the Spanish territory of 
Florida, and seized several Spanish towns. His conduct in 
this war was censured by many, but it met the approbation 
of the President, and of a majority in Congress. 

3. In the year 1819, the United States purchased of Spain 
the territory of Florida. During the same year Alabama be¬ 




came a state. In the year following the province of Maine, 
which had been connected with Massachusetts since the year 
1652, became a state, making the 
twenty-third in number that then com¬ 
posed the Union. 

4. Missouri had previously ap¬ 
plied for admission ; but a proposition 
in Congress to prohibit the introduc¬ 
tion of slavery into the new state was 
violently opposed by the Southern 
states, and as warmly urged by the 
Northern section of the Union. The 

Indian war at the south 1 What is said of Jackson’s conduct in this war ?—8. What purchase 
was made in 1819 1 What is said of Alabama and Maine I Jlotv is Alabcunia hounded ? (See 
Map, p. 159.) Its capital^ and how situated ? Principal rivers ? Wh&re is Mobile ? How is 
Maine bounded ? (See Map, p. 157.) Its capital, and how situated ? Principal rivers ? Bays 
on the coast 7 Where is Portland 7 —4. Circumstances attending the admission of Missouri into 






























144 the united states. 

Missouri question was finally settled by a compromise, which 
tolerated slavery in Missouri, but otherwise prohibited it in all 
territory of the United States north of thirty-six and a half 
degrees of north latitude, which is the southern boundary of 
Missouri. Missouri was then admitted into the Union as a 
state, in the year 1821. 

5. The last year of Mr. Monroe’s administration was dis¬ 
tinguished by the arrival in the United States of the venerable 
Lafayette, who, as we have seen, at ah early period of his 
life, had fought on the side of the Americans, in the cause of 
their Independence. At the age of nearly seventy, and after 
the lapse of almost half a century from the period of his mili¬ 
tary career, he had now come to revisit the country of whose- 
freedom and happiness he had been one of the most honored 
and beloved founders. 

G. How changed the scene that now met his view ! In¬ 
stead of three millions of freemen, poor and oppressed, and 
struggling for their rights, which wicked rulers denied them, 
he found a wealthy, powerful, and happy nation of twelve 
millions of freemen, enjoying all the blessings that a wise gov¬ 
ernment, and country of unbounded fertility, could bestow. 
Eleven new states had already been formed from the recent 
wilderness; gloomy forests had given place to fields teeming 
with abundant harvests; while the comfortable farm-house, 
the school building, the church edifice, and thriving villages, 
springing up in every quarter of the land—all proclaimed 
the happy change which peace, and civil and religious freedom, 
had conferred upon the young republic. 

7. The reception of Lafayette at New York, his tour 
through all the states of the Union, making a journey of more 


the Union'? How is Missouri hounded 1 (See Map, p. 160.) Its capital^ and how situa¬ 
ted? What large river runs through the state 1 Where is St. Louis?—b. What is said of 

Lafayette’s visit to the United States ?—6. Of the change of scene that now met his view'?_ 

7. Lafayette’s reception at New York—tour through the States—departure from Washing- 







THE UNITED STATES. I45 

than five thousand miles, and his final departure from Wash¬ 
ington, in an American frigate prepared for his accommoda¬ 
tion, were all signalized by every token of respect that could 
be devised for doing honor to the “ Nation’s Guest.” 

VI. J. Q. Adams’s Administration.— 1. On the fourth 
of March, 1825, John Quincy Adams, son of the elder Pres¬ 
ident Adams, succeeded Mr. Monroe in the office of President 
of the United States. Few events of great national impor¬ 
tance occurred during the four years of this administration. 

2. We should not fail to notice, however, the deaths of the 
two venerable ex-presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jeffer¬ 
son, who died on the same day, the fourth of July, 1826, just 
fifty years after both had signed the ever memorable Declara¬ 
tion of Independence. Jefferson wrote that document, and 
Adams was the great pillar of its support on the floor of Con¬ 
gress. The minds of both, in their last moments, seemed to 
be wandering back to the scenes of the Revolution. 

VII. Jackson’s Administration. — 1. On the fourth of 
March, 1829, Mr. Adams was succeeded by General Andrew 
Jackson in the office of President of the United States. Du¬ 
ring this administration many exciting subjects of political 
controversy agitated the Union, and party spirit rose to a de¬ 
gree of violence never before witnessed. The principal sub¬ 
jects of controversy were those relating to the United States 
Bank, and the tariff. 

2. In the year 1832, some Indian tribes in Wisconsin Ter¬ 
ritory, incited by the famous chief Black Hawk, commenced 
hostilities to recover certain lands, which they said the white 


ton, &c.—VI. Of -what does the Sixth Section treat ?—1. When did Mr. Adams become Pres¬ 
ident, &c. ? Events during his administration 1 —2. Of the deaths of John Adams and 
Thomas Jefferson 1—VII. Of what does the Seventh Section treat f—1. When did Jackson be¬ 
come President, &c. ? Subjects of political controversy, &c. ?—2. What is said of the Indian 








THE UNITED STATES. 


146 

people had unjustly taken from them. With little difficulty ' 
the Indians were subdued, and their chief taken prisoner. At . 
the South, the Cherokees, the most civilized of all the Indian j 
tribes, had long complained of the encroachments of the state . 
of Georgia upon their territory, but as they could obtain j 
no redress from the general government, they w^ere finally 
obliged to sell their lands, and remove west of the Mississippi. 

2. In 1835, the Seminole Indians of Florida, complaining 
that fraud had been practised, to induce them to sell their 
lands, and remove west of the Mississippi, refused to remove 
at the time agreed upon, and commenced hostilities against the 
settlements in their vicinity. Micanopy was the king of the 
Seminoles, but Osceola was their most noted chief, and their 

principal leader in the war. 

4. This war continued six years, 
and although the Indians were finally 
driven from their retreats, and for¬ 
ced to remove west of the Missis¬ 
sippi, yet the troops of the United 
States engaged in it suffered severely, 
principally from sickness, for the un¬ 
healthy climate was a foe which 
neither bravery nor numbers could 
subdue. The accompanying map 
shows the principal seat of this 
war. 

5. During the years 1836 and 1837, 
two new states, Arkansas and Michigan, were added to the con¬ 
federacy. The first settlement in Michigan, was made by the 

I French at Detroit. About the year 1640, they established a 
I trading post there, but it was not until the year 1701 that they 

tribes in Wisconsin ? Of the Cherokees 1—3. Difficulties with the Seminoles 1—4. Continuance 
of this war, &c. 1 The map in the margin ?—5. VTiat is said of Miclugan and Arkansas 1 
! Hotu is Michigan bounded 1 (See Map p. ICO.) Its capital, and hov: situated? What Jive lakes 


SEAT OF THE SEMINOLE WAS IN 
FLORIDA. 


FtJUricanopy xt 

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SwcmLp^%J7p.Xlun 

{FLArrustron 


























THE UNITED STATES. 


147 


began the permanent settlement of the place. This country 
first came into the possession of the English after the peace 
of 1763, which closed the French and Indian War. Arkansas, 



which was early settled by the French, came into the pos¬ 
session of the United States after the purchase of Louisiana, 
in 1803. 

VIII. Van Buren’s Administration.— I. On the fourth of 
March, 1837, General Jackson was succeeded by Martin Van 
Buren in the office of President of the United States. Soon 
after the accession of Mr. Van Buren, a great revulsion was 
experienced in the business transactions of the country. The 
wages of labor were reduced; thousands of men, previously 
supposed to be wealthy, failed in business ; the banks ceased 
to redeem their notes in specie, and a general distress in pe¬ 
cuniary affairs pervaded the whole community. 

I 2. The Seminole War continued during Van Buren’s ad- 
1 ministration, and several treaties, made by the Indians, were 
broken by them. It was thought that the influence of Osceola 


I lie on its borders ? How is Arkansas hounded ? (See Map p. 159.) Its capital, and how situa- 
' ted ? Largest river that runs through the state ? What river crosses the south-western corner of 
. the state ?— VIII. Of what does the Eighth Section treat I—1. AVhen did Van Buren become 
President, &c. ? Pecuniary affairs of the country during this administration ?—2. Seminole War ? 















THE UNITED STATES. 


148 

over the Indians was the principal cause of prolonging the 
war, and when that chief came to the American camp, under 
the protection of a flag of truce, he was treacherously seized 
and placed in confinement, where he soon after died. But 
the Indians resented the treachery, and continued the war. 

IX. Harrison’s Administration. —1. On the fourth of 
March, 1841, Mr. Van Buren was succeeded by William 
Henry Harrison, in the office of President of the United 
States. * But scarcely had General Harrison commenced his 
administration, before rumors of his sudden illness spread 
through the land; and scarcely had those rumors reached the 
limits of the Union, when they were followed by the sad in¬ 
telligence of his death. Just one month from the day of his 
inauguration, the aged President was a pallid corpse in the 
national mansion. 

X. Tyler’s Administration. — 1. On the death of General 
Harrison, John Tyler, the Vice-president, became the acting 
President of the United States. In the following year, 1842, 
an important treaty was negotiated with Great Britain, by 
which the boundary between Maine and New Brunswick was 
settled, to the satisfaction of all parties interested. It had long 
been feared by many that this “ North-eastern Boundary 
Question” would involve the two nations in war. 

2. During the latter part of Mr. Tyler’s administration, the 
subject of the annexation of Texas to the American Union 
caused great excitement throughout the United States. Texas, 
settled mostly by emigrants from the United States, was for¬ 
merly a province of Mexico, but she had revolted, and estab¬ 
lished her independence. The annexation of Texas was op- 


IX. Of what does the Ninth Section treat?—1. AVhat is said of General Harrison—his illness 
—death, &c. ?—X. Of what does the Tenth Section treat ?—1. IVhat occurred on the death of 
General Harrison 7 lYhat is said of the treaty of 1842 7 —2. The annexation of Texas, &c. ? 









THE UNITED STATES. 


149 


posed by the Northern states generally, and advocated by the 
South ; but finally, in the early part of 1845, the American 
Congress passed a bill, authorizing the President to nego¬ 
tiate with Texas the terms of annexation. Bills were passed, 
also, providing for the admission of Florida and Iowa, 




as states, into the Union. We give above the territorial seals 
of these states, no state seals having yet been adopted by 
them. 

XI. Polk’s Administration. —1. On the fourth of March, 
1845, Mr. Tyler was succeeded by James K. Polk, in the 
office of President of the United States. During the follow¬ 
ing year, 1846, another important treaty was negotiated with 
England, by which the long pending controversy about the 
possession of Oregon was terminated. By this treaty, that 
territory, long claimed by Great Britain, and extending from 
the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, was acknowledged 
to belong to the United States. 


What is said of Florida and Iowa ? How is Florida bounded ? (See Map p. 159.) Its cap¬ 
ital^ and how situated ? Principal river of Florida ? Where is St. Augustine ? Where is 
Pensacola? How is Iowa bounded? (See Map, p. 160-) Its capital^ and how situated?— 
XI. Of what does the Eleventh Section treat ?—1. When did Mr. Polk become President, &c. ? 
What is said of the treaty of 1846 7 


11 









Beale of Miles. 




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^ Monterey 

^ Vista 




































































































THE UNITED STATES. 153 

September, Monterey capitulated to General Taylor, after 
the heights surrounding the city had been stormed. Upper 
California had previously submitted to an American squadron, 
and the city of Santa Fe, a Mexican town east of the Rio 
Grande, had surrendered to General Kearney. On the pre¬ 
ceding page we give a map of Mexico, that the pupil may 
better know the situation and extent of that republic, with 
the boundaries which she possessed previous to her war with 
the United States. For the changes made in her territory 
by the treaty of peace, see map, page 160. 

6. On the 23d of February, 1847, General Taylor, who 
had advanced into the Mexican territory from Monterey, 
fought and routed the Mexican army, commanded by the 
Mexican General, Santa Anna, at a place called Buena Yista, 
although the American force was less than five thousand 
men, and the Mexican more than seventeen thousand. 

7. In the meantime General Scott had been sent to take 
the chief command of the American army in Mexico. He 
first attacked the important city of Yera Cruz, which is built 
on the spot where the invader Cortez landed, more than 
three hundred years before, and, after a bombardment of 
four days, which caused great destruction of life and prop¬ 
erty, he compelled that city to surrender. 

8. General Scott then began his march towards the Mexi¬ 
can capital, about two hundred miles distant, in the very 
centre of the Mexican territory. Many thought this a very 
rash movement, and feared that the Americans would all 
be cut off by the superior forces of the enemy. But General 


other successes of tho Americans. Where is Monterey ? (Pronounced Mon-ter-i.) (See 
map of Texas.) Where is Upper or Mew California ? (See map of Mexico.) What are the 
two principal ports in Mew California? —6. What is said of the battle of Buena Vista? 
Where is Buena Vista 7 (See map of Texas.)—7. What is said of General Scott ? Of the 
surrender of Vera Cruz ? Where is Vera Cruz 7—8. What is said of General Scott’s march, 







fe / ® A 


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, IChufubusco+; 

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154 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Scott, knowing that the ignorant Mexicans were very poor 
soldiers, was confident of success. At a place called Cerro- 
Gordo, Santa Anna met him at the head of a large army ; 
but, although the Mexicans had strongly fortified the high 
hills and mountain ridges, from which they fired down upon 
the Americans, the latter climbed the heights, sword in hand, 
and routed the Mexicans with great slaughter. 

9. General Scott then continued his march, and entered 
the cities of Jalapa and Puebla without resistance, as Santa 
Anna had collected his whole army around the city of 
Mexico, resolving to fight there the great battle which 
should decide the contest. Although General Scott had 


VICINITY OF 

MEXICO 

Scalo of Milts. 


^ / \\4, 

.-A 


XA.PUZBIA^ \ 


IZOOfi 


and of the battle of Cerro-Gordo?—9. What had Santa Anna resolved upon? What were 


















THE UNITED STATES. 155 

now only eleven thousand men, and the Mexican army num¬ 
bered more than thirty thousand, he did not hesitate to ad¬ 
vance. 

10. Marching along the southern borders of Lake Chaleo, 
in the southern part of the valley of Mexico, on the 18th of 
August the entire American army reached San Augustin, 
ten miles from the city. On the next day, the 19th, the 
fighting began in the vicinity of the fortified post of Con¬ 
treras ; and on the 20th both Contreras and Churubusco 
were taken by assault, in which nine thousand Americans 
vanquished more than three times their number of Mexicans. 

11. The Mexicans now proposed to treat of peace, and the 
fighting ceased; but after two weeks spent in fruitless at¬ 
tempts to arrange the terms of a treaty, the Americans 
renewed the war, and, after some hard fighting, entered the 
city on the 14th of September, where they dictated peace on 
their own terms. By the treaty which was soon after con¬ 
cluded, the United States obtained from her late enemy a 
large increase of territory, em¬ 
bracing all the present New 
Mexico, Utah, and California, the 
extent of which may be seen on 
map, page 16:1. Thus ended our 
war with Mexico. 

12. Early in 1847 a bill passed 
Congress for the admission of the 
territory of Wisconsin into the 
Union; and in May, 1848, the 
State of Wisconsin became the 


the numbers of the two armies?—10. ’What route did the American army take, and when 
did it reach San Augustin ? What posts were first taken by the Americans ? In what direc¬ 
tion from Mexico are these places ?—11. Give an account of the further progress, and the 
results, of the war.—12. What is said of Wisconsin? Of Madison, the capital?—XII. Of 













156 THE UNITED STATES. 

thirtieth member of the Confederacy. The capital is Mad¬ 
ison, which is beautifully situated on a gentle eminence be¬ 
tween the third and fourth lakes of the chain called the 
Four Lakes. In June, 1837, it took the contractor for 
building the government house at Madison eleven days to 
cut his way thither through the wilderness from Milwaukie, 
a distance of ninety miles. The distance is now traversed 
in a few hours. In the presidential election of 1848, 
General Zachary Taylor, the hero of Buena Yista, was elect¬ 
ed president of the United States. 

XII. Taylor’s Administration. —1. General Taylor 
entered on the office of President on the 4th of March, 1849. 
It was during his administration that the recently-acquired 
territory of California became known to the American peo¬ 
ple, and to the whole civilized world, as a country abounding 
in GOLD. The first discovery of the gold occurred in the 
following manner:—A man, who was digging in the bank 
of a small stream that flows into the Sacramento river, noticed 
something glittering in the earth which he had thrown out. 
On examining it he found it consisted of small yellow par¬ 
ticles, some of them not larger than a pin-head. The thought 
that it might be gold induced him to search further, when 
pieces of considerable size were discovered, and in so pure a 
state as to leave no doubt that it was really gold! The news 
spread rapidly—men hurried thither from all quarters—the 
neighboring villages were almost deserted—and in a few 
weeks the newly-discovered gold region was crowded with 
adventurers, tempted by the glittering prize. 

2. In consequence of this important discovery, people 
in great numbers, from all parts of the world, hastened to 


what does the Twelfth section treat?—1. When did General Taylor become president! 
What is said of California? Of the discovery of gold there, &c.—2. What is said of the rapid 









- THE UNITED STATES. 157 

California; villages and cities sprung up, as if by magic, along 
tbe streams in the very wilderness ; San Francisco soon be¬ 
came a great commercial city; and tbe population increased 
so rapidly, that in a short time California asked to be ad¬ 
mitted into the Union as a sovereign State. 

3. In the meantime General Taylor, enfeebled by age, 
and worn down by the cares and fatigues of office, died at 
Washington, on the 9th of July, 1850. Among his last 
words were, “ I have endeavored to do my duty. I am not 
afraid to die.” He was an able and good man. General 
Cass, one of his political opponents, said of him, ‘‘ The in¬ 
tegrity of his motives was never assailed nor assailable. He 
had passed through a long and active life, neither meriting 
nor meeting reproach, and in his last hour the conviction of 
the honest discharge of his duty was present to console, even 
when the things of this life were fast fading away.” 

XIII. Fillmore’s Administration.— 1. The Constitution 
of the United States declares, that when the President dies, 
the Yice-President shall take his place, and perform his 
duties; and, therefore, on the death of President Taylor, 
Millard Fillmore became acting President of the United 
States.. During the early part of his administration, the 
country was greatly agitated by the discussions in Congress 
on the subject of slavery, referring particularly to the ex¬ 
tension of domestic slavery to the new territories which we 
had acquired from Mexico. 

2. After a long and violent debate, California was ad¬ 
mitted as a State, without slavery; and Utah and New 
Mexico received territorial governments, which left the 


growth of California ?—3. What is said of the death of General Taylor ? Of his character ? 
—XIII. Of what does the Thirteenth section treat ?—1. What does the Constitutioa of the 
United States declare ? By what was the country agitated during the early part of Fillmore’s 












158 THE UNITED STATES. 

people of those territories free to decide, when they formed 
State constitutions, whether slavery should exist among 
them, or not. One act of Congress forbade slaves to be 
carried into the District of Columbia for the purpose of 
being sold there; and another act provided, that when 
slaves escaped from the Southern States into the free States, 
they should be given up to their owners. 

3. After the slavery agitation had been somewhat allay¬ 
ed by the acts of Congress, little occurred during the re¬ 
mainder of President Fillmore’s administration to disturb 
the quiet tenor of our country’s history. The presidential 
election of 1852 was one of unusual quiet, and great mod¬ 
eration of party feeling. General Pierce, of New Hamp¬ 
shire, was elected President—^being the fourteenih President 
of the United States. 


CONCLUSION. 

1. Here we close this little history of the United States, 
hoping that it may be found both interesting and useful to 
the young, for whom it was written, and that it may incite 
in them the love of country and the love of virtue. 

2. On the next page is a map of the United States and 
their territories, showing their situation and extent at the 
present time. It will be well for the pupil to compare this 
map with the one on page 118, that he may see how much 


administration ? How was the controversy finally settled ? What is said concerning the 
District of Columbia, and the restoration of fugitive slaves ?—3. What is said o f the remainder 
of Mr. Fillmore’s administration ? Of the presidential election of 1852? Who succeeded Mr. 
Fillmore in the presidency ? 

Conclusion. —What does the author here say of this History ?— 2. What is said of the 
































































































160 THE UNITED STATES. 

OTir country lias increased in extent since tlie close of the 
Eevolution. A glance at our past history will also show, 
that, as a people, we have been blessed beyond a parallel in 
the history of nations; and if we persevere in the paths of 
virtue and intelligence, we may confidently hope that the 
hand of Almighty power will still direct and sustain us, and 
that our future national career will be one of grandeur un¬ 
surpassed. 

4. But in order to attain the glorious destiny for which 
Providence has prepared the way, we must cultivate a spirit 
of harmony and mutual concession in our national councils, 
and frown upon everything that tends to break in pieces the 
noble fabric of our National Union. At the head of our 
political creed we should place the motto, “ The Union ; 
one and inseparable; believing that, in the language of the 
elder Adams, a perpetual union of the States which compose 
our fair republic, is “ our rock of safety, as well as our 
pledge of grandeur.” 

5. As another article in our creed, we should ever regard 
it as one of our highest duties to cherish and promote the 
interests of Education,—especially as connected with our 
Common Schools; knowing that they are “ The People^s 

and that so long as they can be rendered effectual 
nurseries of Learning and of Virtue, they will be better 
guardians of our liberties than fleets and standing armies. 


map? What will a glance at our past history show, and what may we hope, &c. ?—4. But 
what further is requisite on our part ? What is said of political principles ?—5. Of the subject 
of Education ? 









MAP OF THE EASTERN STATES. 157 



9rOAK£R BM, 

























































158 


MAP OF THE MIDDLE STATES. 



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MAP OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. 


159 




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160 


MAP OF THE WESTERN STATES. 


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